Views of the Universe from a Starskiff: The Xianzhou Zhuming (Part 3)

@Karylrz_

A chapter from the travelogues left behind by Baiheng, famous pilot of the Xianzhou. It records her entire trip as an ambassador to the Xianzhou Zhuming.

...
...

Yingxing took us by boat to the entrance of a dark circular hall. He produced a piece of paper, casually folding it into the shape of a crane and with a few words, it flew off swiftly, wings flapping. Moments later, the ground shook all around the hall as if mobilizing an entire ministry. The curved walls of the hall rapidly began to separate and shrink, and gradually all that remained beneath our feet was the base of the hall. A light shone in from seemingly nowhere, bathing the room in a glow.

The entire delegation almost hugged each other. So terrified we were all. Soon we came to realize that this hall we were in was floating in an invisible orbit, with a dazzling light as bright as a star below us. It was like clinging onto a meteorite as we hurtled slowly along the orbit's path like a celestial body around this "sun."

This group of light rays kept on pulsing, shifting continually like a beating heart.

It's talking. So it can talk!

Every ray of light from the "sun" is beating, as if undergoing intense turbulence. Or rather, like a raging suppression since ancient times, gnarling and gnashing as it tries to fight through to my consciousness. In an instant, a flood of scenes well up and rampage through my mind, like a book flipping pages in the wind:

— A "tree" with no boundaries suspended from the heavens, piercing the starry sky.
— A vacuum, inside which ships spew forth brilliant beams like fireflies chasing fire, flocking to fluctuating flesh. There are even winged humanoids, wings outstretched...
— I hear the howl of a Cloud Knight and a starskiff moments before crashing down, "Defend the Xianzhou!" "Victory to the Cloud Knights!"...
— A colossal aurumaton, towering hundreds of feet high as it stalks and strides, stretching out cold metal arms to interact with a giant gelatinous beast of meat, teeth, and countless eyeballs.
— In the sky stand radiant warriors, holding spears and longbows radiating fiery death. Their every gene has been sculpted and filtered to grant them a strength and beauty surpassing that of even modern Xianzhou people.
— Even more terrifying is that their bodies are covered in an unnatural flame, as if embodying their innermost courage and rage. They charge one-by-one, over and over into the formless void, never to return...

"...Take this oath, and keep it forever!" the rays of light roared, leaving the ears ringing.

"Everyone! Steel yourselves — and don't look directly at the Flint Emperor!"

A ferocious clap like thunder resounded above the main hall. Someone stomped a staff into the floor, and after the metal hum subsided, it was like an invisible barrier rising up to swiftly block out the light beams and projections filling the hall — sending it back to its original quiet state. All awoke from their state of confusion.

The master of the Flamedisk Forge Palace was also the longest-lived aboard the Xianzhou, and furthermore a master among craftsmen — Huaiyan was late to arrive.

"I told my apprentice to bring you all here for a talk about weapons and support. We somehow forgot to disable this Pseudo Sun though, and nearly got you all stupefied. The fault is entirely my own, and I apologize to each and every one of you."

Huaiyan strode with mountainous steps up the staircase, which disappeared off into the sky. Gradually, he arrived before us.

"I have received Helm Master Qingying's request. The Yaoqing is having trouble fighting off the enemy, and the Zhuming can't just stand by idly and watch from the sidelines."

But — there has to be a "but" incoming — when faced with attack from a formidable foe or a need to recuperate, every Xianzhou retains their own right to decide whether or not to send reinforcements. What reason will he give to turn down this request of ours?

"The Zhuming wants not for arms. I will allocate you three hundred fighter jets, twenty thousand crossbows, and twenty thousand devastator glaives based on Qingying's request. But we, the Zhuming, have our own hands full with eradicating filth."

"So as for reinforcements, I can give you a number equal to the size of your delegation!"

...
...

Edit

Pub: 21 Jul 2023 11:06 UTC

Views: 2657