Golems have always fascinated lovers of fantasy. The thought of creating an artificial life or an autonomous robot is extremely exciting, and the reward seems to be higher than the effort it takes in the process. Typically, golems are found in dungeons where they are mysteriously connected by lumps of rock and have a basic intelligence and high physical resistance. They are never cute or beautiful, and they do not need to recharge themselves or rest.

Is that true ?

*****

Takshashila University, Great Maurya Dynasty, Human Continent.

No person in any race would deny the fact that Takshashila was the first and only university in the entire world. It is said that the amount of books here was so large that if they are set on fire, they would burn for three days and three nights !

Takshashila was the birthplace of many innovations, and for this reason currently there was a lineup of imperial carriages. A large ground near the university buildings was tightly guarded and sealed. Almost a hundred warriors patrolled and sealed the ground, and the wise Scholars and the high officials whispered and talked to each other.

Soon large boxes were brought and the items were revealed. They were mainly pieces of metals, like iron, steel, copper and silver, in various shapes and sizes. When they were kept sideways and arranged properly four large beasts pulled a large cart which was towed by a giant figure. It looked like a large doll and was made up of metal and wood. There was a large cavity in its chest and over its limbs, making it look like an incomplete creation.

This was a Golem.

The Emperor was completely still as he watched the golem prototype. The last war had killed many youths of the Dynasties, and all they had were now the old and the children. That was why he was so desperate to find alternatives of power until the new talents grew up, that included his son.

The Golem was in a kneeling position, and a few last checks were made to detect any anomalies. Suryagupta only noticed now that the head of the golem was empty, and there weren't even eyes in its socket. However there were many gears and pneumatic which connected almost every part of the body.

The head Scholar, Guru, walked towards the golem while holding a small case. A few assistants brought barrels of a mysterious substance and poured it into the cavity of the golem's chest. It was a viscous liquid, using which the internals of the golem would be made.

Meanwhile the Emperor patted an old man on his side. "It's time..."

The old man was dressed in loose cotton, and was completely shaved, with no trace of hair on his body. His skin was a little loose, indicating his old age but his eyes still shone with fierce light. At this time, however, his voice quivered as he spoke.

"Do not worry about this old man, my Emperor. I shall protect the Dynasty even after my death."

"I know..." Suryagupta replied in a raspy voice.

The old man saluted one last time, and the Emperor and the warriors watched him walking towards the golem.

Many parts of the golem were made out of wood and other unknown substances, and they absorbed the viscous liquid a little, reducing it's quantity. The old man stood near the head Scholar, Guru who was standing on the back of the golem, and they nodded to each other.

Head Scholar Guru immediately opened the small case. A seed the size of a palm lied inside. It was almost transparent and constantly sent off vague waves of Profound Energy. This seed was extremely precious, and was formed by gathering the belief of the people of the Dynasty for man years.

Belief was a very strange thing. Many beings, including those of other races as well as the Scholars of Takshashila University had observed that when a person sincerely prayed to a target, a part of the person's Profound Energy would be somehow transferred into the target. Using this fact, the Scholars designed an experiment to attempt to create an artificial being, a creature with eternal life !

Head Scholar Guru knelt and slowly lowered the miraculous seed into the viscous liquid. The seed immediately trembled and sprouted, it's nearly transparent branches greedily absorbed the liquid and penetrated each part of the golem.

Head Scholar Guru eyed the old man and nodded at him, and the old man jumped into the viscous liquid. The branches quickly seized his body and penetrated his flesh.

"Seal !" Head Scholar Guru commanded. A group of assistants quickly held metal plates and making a few connections, sealed the cavity containing the liquid. But they would not be able to stop the seed, as it's branches penetrated further, assimilating the internals to create a structure. The cavities on the limbs showed that the branches were taking hold of the mechanical parts. After ensuring that the limbs were fine, those cavities were also immediately sealed.

At this moment there were screaming noises of the old man from the inside of the golem, and the branches could be seen from the eye holes on the head of the golem.

"Quick, the eyes !" Head Scholar, Guru shouted.

His assistants quickly opened another small case and took out a set of fresh eyes of a beast. These eyes were cleaned with water and placed in a glass sphere. The glass sphere had a little hole at the back, and these eyes perfectly fit the eye sockets of the golem and sealed the entrance for the branches. The branches had no choice but to surround these eyes from the inside and penetrate from the small hole available.

The screams of the old man had long subsided, and everyone only had to wait to see the result. So they waited, while hearing the occasional whirring of the gears and the slithering of the branches which came from inside the huge body.

They waited and finally the sun set. Finally Head Scholar Guru sighed and shook his head.

"I'm sorry, my Emperor. It's another failure."

The Head Scholar began to escort the Emperor when one of his assistants yelled.

"It....it moved !!!"

*****

Eastern Lake, Giant Continent.

A group of four hundred stopped marching and released exaggerated sighs. Each group was led by two people on Kamels, who shouted at the group for their grumpy behaviour. Tong lead in the front, sitting on a slightly larger Kamel. His mount had very peculiar eyes, and watched everyone with disdain while ruminating with his mouth.

He caressed the totem in his hand as he watched the two armies of the Desolate Fu and the Desolate Gu tribe. They had similar armies in four groups, led by their group leaders in Kamels. This formation was taught by their ancestors, and it was an achievement that they were able to follow these old rules. Do not expect the giants to improvise, it is enough that they do not lose their old knowledge.

Tong spotted the other two chiefs, Chief Fun of the Fu tribe, and Chief Gun of the Gu tribe.

"Look at his piss poor appearance ! Are you really a Chief ?" Chief Fun mocked Tong.

"Perhaps he has spend all his wealth whoring around. Ke ke ke.." Chief Gun laughed and almost fell over his Kamel.

Tong furrowed his brows and spat out his words : "Mere dogs rushing to their deaths."

His hand over his totem tightened and the eye sockets on the head of the totem glowed as it sensed it's master's agitation. Tong was a person who couldn't be easily understood. Like how he protected his tribe by hiding the Sage Old Han. The medium and large sized tribes would've slaughtered his home if they'd known that the Desolate Han tribe had a Sage, each one of which was as valuable as a totem.

Tong noticed that unlike him, Chief Fun and Chief Gun had decided to choose the Barbarian Tun tribe over the King tribe.

'I need to make a strong opening', Tong thought.

"Enough nonsense. Charge !" Tong shouted and kicked the belly of his Kamel. His Kamel snorted and ran forward.

Chief Fun snorted and yelled to his people. "Kill them !"

Similarly Chief Gun screamed. "Kill !"

Tong stood on his Kamel's back and balanced his body. He held his totem forward and sensed the boundless energy in the totem. The light in the totem's eye sockets grew brighter and it spat out loads of Profound Energy. This energy turned into lightning and struck the Fu tribe.

"F*ck !"

Chief Fun shouted and hurriedly raised his totem. A luminous shield was formed and shielded him and the group leaders.

"He's crazy !" Chief Gun said in fear as he watched Tong recklessly using the power of his totem. It wouldn't be long until the totem became dry from energy.

"Throw the stones !" he screamed.

Large stones flew and crushed the giants of the Desolate Han tribe, making them scream.