Legend of steel and magic

Arvin stood there as his mind spined in confusion. He did not know where to begin to comprehend what was happening around him. The question laid to him by the giant gladiator sand head still rang in his ears.

'Sure, I shall gladly accept the gift that you're prepared to provide me.'

Arvin said as he looked directly into the figures eyes. The absolute vision infront of him was nothing less than a divine projection.

'If it is not much trouble for you, shall I ask you a few questions?'

Arvin asked as his curiosity got the better of him. The surrounding scenery was too flamboyant to not pay attention to. Fallen mechanical inventions on a dry desert, which also had no history written about it.

Arvin was a great scholar who knew the intricacies of the history well. There were still a plethora of undiscovered eras but Arvin knew most of it.

'It would not be a problem for me to answer a few questions. Ask away.' Uttered the gladiator.

'What happened around here? And importantly, who are you? Please tell me all about it.'

Arvin fired away with his questions.

'Interesting, you are not hasty like the rest of them. It is indeed an admirable quality. Let me start explaining from the beginning to the end of the great sentient steel era where technology and magic thrived together and unlocked unimaginable limits.'

Thus began the gladiator to tell the tale of sentient steel.

'Let me start by introducing myself,

I am Axiel Sentientsteel, last Emperor of the

Great Sentientsteel empire.

It was a time when all the races in my empire were at the peak of civilisation. Magic and technology knew no bounds. A perfect ecosystem was achieved among all living beings. Buildings were erected as they pierced through the sky, showcasing the brilliance of architecture. Flying carriers for transport were seen all around as they flew at an astonishing speed without making the slightest noise. Flourishing plants with ample fruits and heavenly flowers with magnificent colours were seen through the air that was crystal clear. Passion and kindness glowed in everyone's soul as the subjects lived peacefully.

Combat strength of individuals were thoroughly enhanced through advanced training methods and were assisted with brilliantly designed weapons and robots. Though the battle prowess of the steel empire was immense, we hardly had the interest to declare frivolous wars on other kingdoms.

It all lasted until the conspiracy against our peaceful nation broke the balance.

A kingdom faraway called Dwaraga was ruled by a formidable queen named Durga. Her empire flourished with magic as it was the most cherished attribute possessed by every Dwaragan. Dwaraga was a place of ancient monuments as it was ruled by countless powerful sovereigns. People of Dwaraga were highly educated scholars and combatants. The strong warriors were admired as much as the scholars. People of Dwaraga believed in free will. Everyone were treated according to their achievements in their fields. Race, gender and physical discrimination were nonexistent. A hard working Dwaragan would almost always end up with a successful life.

Such a prosperous empire suddenly changed its core values and started to search for more power outside. Their thirst for power grew as years passed.

Durga came to know about the potential of Sentientsteel's technology. Since then she always wanted to get her hands on it one way or another.

Durga was the strongest combatant on this planet to have ever existed. Her kingdom resembled her prowess as they easily conquered empires in a whim. Her thirst for power led her to commit several devious acts. She was the epitome of magic. Despite her legendary talent in magic, her empire needed technology to make it more formidable.

Her top ten commanders were called the yakshas. Each of them emerged as peak specialists in their respective area of combat, Administration, Intelligence, Research and so on. Irrespective of their roles, they were all seasoned warriors, second only to Durga herself.

People of Dwaraga saw Durga just not as a sovereign, but as a goddess. Even I would fall behind her in the test of battle prowess.

One day, Dwaraga declared war on Sentientsteel to claim my empire's technology. This gruesome battle lasted for three long years. Countless warriors, talents and ordinary people were killed. Both sides were evenly matched with plenty of war reserves and the results were devastating. The complete civilisation of both the empires was annihilated. As the battle reached its end, it was just me with a couple of my commanders and Durga herself.

The situation was looking dire. The odds were all on Durga's side. She overpowered everyone of us despite being gravely injured. I had to make a choice. If I died, centuries of knowledge about Sentientsteel's magic and technology would vanish without a trace and Durga would somehow acquire the kingdom's knowledge. The fact that they managed to defeat all of Durga's Yakshas and severely injure her was proof enough to explain the potential that the Sentientsteel empire technology had.

So as a last attempt to defeat Durga and save thousands of years of knowledge, my chief commander 'Ronal, the space divine sorcerer' casted a last resort spell which drained the life force out of all of us. The spell sealed the humongous battle field inside a dungeon. It also sealed away Durga as she would die without external aid due to her injuries as time passed.

This is exactly the place where the war took place. A peaceful empire was destroyed to shreds because of a power hungry sovereign and her people. My consciousness was left in this place with a part of my soul to carry the knowledge that was possessed by my Sentientsteel empire during its peak.

Now it is my role as the last emperor of the Sentientsteel to pass the divine knowledge to someone who's worthy.'

Explained the emperor Axiel Sentientsteel as he looked below at a flabbergasted Arvin. Even after hearing out the emperor, his mind was spinning around the legendary tale. It took him sometime to take it all in as it was an exquisite legend that no one had ever heard of.

'Your great legend filled me with astonishment and great sorrow at the same time. On one side as I imagined the modern era of Sentientsteel, the other side is filled with intolerable misery. I could not begin to fathom the great devastation that fills your heart. A weak hearted being like me would fall into bottomless depression after experiencing even half of what you have gone through. I solemnly hope that the souls of your people rest in eternal peace.'

Conveyed arvin his condolences as he summarised his thoughts on the legend that he just heard.

Axiel could easily see through arvin's soul as he uttered those words. His sincerity shined brighter than the mighty star Valeria. He felt a kinship in arvin's personality that he yearned to see in his future successor. This was also a pertinent reason why he chose to appear in front of arvin in the first place. A being like Axiel is close to a god than to a ordinary life on this planet.