Chapter 1: The Grand Sage’s Letter to His Wife

Year XXX.

Some unknown time in the future.

"To my dear wife Eve,

I was fortunate enough to survive the catastrophe. 

That nincompoop of a "god" didn't anticipate his punishment would actually grant me the greatest opportunity of my life. Speaking of which, nincompoop is quite a strange word. That word was taught to me by one of the four pillars of the Sun Moon Empire…the Shading Sky Emperor.

A good man but occasionally strange words come from his mouth. I seriously suspect he is ill and needs treatment from the medical succubi.

Anyways, I was blessed enough to witness our dream come true in the current era. 

The rise of the human race.

Throughout my journeys, I've witnessed many things and have come to a conclusion that human beings are creatures that belong at the bottom of the universal food chain. 

They possess too many weaknesses. 

Cowardly, evil, fragile, feeble, indecisive, imperfect, and perpetually fighting without a shred of empathy.

I lament their sins, distress of their fear towards the unknown, and mourn their dread of fire.

And in that fear they turn to whatever spiritual support they could find. Religion, spiritual forces, or even family and friends. 

What will it take to get these mindless barbaric creations to make peace?"

In the far distance, a lonely figure wrapped tightly in a dark cloak took a pause in his writing. With a deep sigh he raised his head and peered into the far distance.

( ˘ ^˘ )=3

With his acute perception… the intertwining of blood and steel came into a view.

A full scale war was taking place and the drums of rebellion were beating.

The solitary figure continued writing while occasionally taking a break to witness the glory taking place.

"Yet, despite all this…

They can ignite a raging fire within their hearts. Their mortal eyes can face higher life forms without fear.

But human instinct is inviolable.

Inevitably, I could sense traces of fear in the depths of even the bravest one. After all humans are ultimately creatures of emotions.

But that wasn't fear of their enemies…

No…they had gone beyond that.

It was fear for their fallen comrades and their family.

Within their eyes was a raging anger towards their foes bringing a calm serene peace amidst the torrent of iron and steel.

But more than that there was hope…

A hope for the next generation.

No longer limited by race, potential, influence, or ability.

A cause to unite.

They see a possibility that mortals can also have a home.

These were the soldiers raised by the Sun Moon Empire!

The way of the human sovereign that Her Majesty described is truly wonderful. (You aren't meant to understand this sentence for now~~) ;P

My heart longs to share more with you but some notions could not be simply described in words."

The solitary silhouette gazed pensively into the vast horizon, fixating on the somber battlefield with a brilliance in his eyes and a soft grin.

The burning of sulfur and the meaty aroma of seared flesh.

Wars were a common theme of mankind catalyzing change yet accompanied by a looming melody signaling tragedy.

Amidst that…

Some people still chose to move forward.

  (ง ͠ ᵒ̌ Дᵒ̌ )▬▬ι═══════ﺤ

'The past may have belonged to the gods and demons but the future which we worked hard for belongs to us my dear. The world is still dark but the torch we lit is still bright.' 

( ๑˘ω˘ )

In the somber distance, warriors advanced forward despite shredded chunks of flesh dangling from their bodies

Gender, race, background were no longer considerations.

What mattered was survival

And the glory of their soul.

"Descendants of the sun and moon…We fight as one, we conquer as one! "

  (ง ͠ ᵒ̌ Дᵒ̌ )▬ι════ﺤ (ง ͠ ᵒ̌ Дᵒ̌ )▬ι════ﺤ (ง ͠ ᵒ̌ Дᵒ̌ )▬ι════ﺤ

Battle chants resounded throughout the battlefield. Shouts, screams, and gasps of agony from millions drowned out the sparking collisions of blades and steel. 

Roars of artillery, chanting of magic, and the clicking gears of machinery. With every breath a brave soul fell. A warrior possibly with a family waiting back home.

Neat battle formations linked the hearts of every soldier. With every ounce of trust in their comrades. 

Despite the oncoming enemy line composed of vile creatures from the abyss, they marched forward with their heads held high, a firm desire in their hearts. 

Flesh, blood, and organs scattered everywhere as medics and necromancers rushed to the rescue. Disintegrated by enemy forces, the sticky blood splashed from their fallen brethren and the smell of ash were not an excuse for them to stop. 

This was their labor for the next generation so their descendants wouldn't have to live their lives.

So that they could brag to their friends when they returned home.

It was for the simple things…a warm home, food on the table, and the dignity of a human. 

The greatest fortune a person could achieve was to discover a purpose true to their hearts when they still had that young blood inside.

Each individual came here knowing full well that they could only depend on each other. They were the last line of defense and they knew they couldn't stop. Gritting their teeth and advancing forward.

In the far distance, several figures scurried to pick up the weapons of their fallen brethren.

With boiling blood and in between wheezing breaths. Within ashes and smoke they carried the dreams and the blessings of the fallen.

Grasping the weapons of their comrades and carrying forward their mission. The brothers and sisters had each other's backs. The cool feeling of augmented magic metal from the weapons in their hands reminded them what to do. 

Avenge them!

In the sky above, aerial forces constantly monitored the battlefield signaling to the logistics where to send aid.

At the frontline, dragon knights charged forward as vanguard riding wyverns coated in ferocious armor. Their only purpose was to provide cover for the magicians to bombard and prevent unnecessary casualties.

Wrapped in mysterious armor with vein like glowing structures. Each breath and every collision was fueled by desire. Their hearts pulsing as they charged forward with their eyes glowing a bloody crimson. 

Like the stars in a spiral galaxy, every individual soldier was wielded into one rope…twisted into one strand.

This was the soul of an army!

And the soldiers of her majesty, the empire's four pillars, and the common people of the Sun Moon empire!

With the blessing and hopes of a nation, along with the beliefs of invincibility in their hearts, a vague silhouette was condensed above the millions of troops.

(ლ `Д ́)ლ

Gaseous aura, like liquid, overflowed from their bodies and formed a giant above them.

A deep red titan silhouette that seemed to reach into the sky, announcing the warcry of millions of troops.

With a roar and a thunderous bang, the gaseous giant collided with demons of the abyss.

Faith leading the way, home behind, the enemy will be suppressed! 

Miracles come from the heart!

The foundation of all magic!

In the distance, the black robed figure nodded with approval.

Gathering the hearts of millions of soldiers with faith as firewood and morale as fuel.

Such a legendary sight was something he had never seen despite living through many ages.

The paladins of the churches paled in comparison.

Thousands of races, thousands of forces, all gathered into one.

The soldiers gathered by the Sun Moon Empire were truly a sight.

"The mortal fire still burns." The cloaked figure contine to write as he observed.

"Against the vile things from the unknown,

Even the weakest of soldiers bravely advanced.

I wonder what they were relying on?

The iron creations and constructs they held?

It was said that the Shading Sky Emperor gathered the other three pillars, observed the laws of other worlds, and started a new school…supernatural science. 

Combining mystics, magic, and the craft of the dwarves they allowed even the weakest mortals to hold their grounds against mighty foes."

"I've had the fortune to witness changing times.

Open minded individuals striving for a better world. 

A peaceful world where everyone can have enough to eat, wear warm clothes, have hopes and dreams, and live well.

And those that fight for this ideal…although foolish…they deserved to be named an army that can conquer the stars.

A generation of heroes.

My dear wife Eve, I hope you are doing well wherever you are.

If your reincarnation exists, may we meet again someday.

I'll be waiting in a prosperous world.

Not fighting but enjoying our retirement.

My dearest, when you awaken from your slumber I have many things I hope to share with you.

My joy…

The delicacies of the mountain and seas…

And the many stories I've witnessed.

As for now….

The enigmatic figure shrouded in ebony robes halted his quill's dance.

He had his own mission. The enemy line was only a mere matter of time to fall.

The robbed figure glanced to his right. 

Someone was approaching.

The robbed figure snapped shut his diary shut and tucked away his pen very carefully in the inner linings of his robe…

This was a new mage's pen designed by the scientific research institute…

Marketed and promoted in the name of "spreading education" and worth an entire month of his salary.

'The Shading Sky Emperor really went out his way to cheat the rich in order to fund the citizens huh?'

Even he was robbed…

A profound exhale escaped his lips as he lifted his gaze to the approaching figure.

From afar, a mysterious silhouette, shrouded in a cloak, materialized at his side. His mystical azure eyes glimmering under the dark shadow of his hood.

His gaze, distant and unfazed, swept across the sprawling canvas painted by scarlet below every mathematical outcome unfolding in his mind.

He gave a slight nod and let out a cold voice.

"Let's go." 

"Understood," grinned the original cloaked figure. "Let's set the world for Her Majesty."

The two gradually set off into the distance, their silhouettes fading into the setting sun.

The golden age of the gods has long passed. May the glory of mankind last forever!

[We are mortals.]

[We cannot glimpse into the secrets of creation like the gods,]

[We are ignorant with a shallow vision and limited life,]

[But we are mortal and we are proud,

  Because we are mortal we have something the gods don't.]

[The power of progress and community.]

[In every generation there will be heroes.]

[And with each generation comes with growing wisdom.]

[With limited wisdom we calculate and grasp the unknown until…

  We have a torch that can be passed from generation to generation.]

[Unextinguished and undying. That is the will of the phoenix.]

[~Excerpt from the XXXX.XX.XX (future) Interview with The Four Pillars, Top 3 popular quotes under "Never Gonna Give You Up"]

______________________________________________________________________________________________

A/N:

Hallo handsome and beautiful homo-sapiens who stumble here. There's worlds of choice out there so thank you!

♡〜٩( ╹▿╹ )۶〜♡

I write as a hobby.

This baby has been on my mind for quiet a while now. It was only this year that I got the opportunity to finished my conception of this piece. Had fun! But also mucho stress. So I hope everyone takes at least a glance (∿°○°)∿ ︵ ǝʌol.

Considering that my expected chapter count is over 1000 (:P) I don't ever expect to enter a contract. That's my promise ℒᵒᵛᵉᵧₒᵤ(°▽°๑). But on the flip side updates will probably be slow.  ／༼ ༏༏ີཻ༾ﾍ ༏༏ີཻ༾༾༽༽

Make yourselves at home please  (* ^◇^)_旦

Fyi: Big big big worldview due to lots of planning. So the beginning is kinda meh. But later it will be kewl all da wey.

Also no harems! <(´ཀ`」<) 2 I don't have the skill write those! But multi-mc's!< p>

Here's my challenge to everyone: Spot the references and foreshadowing ( ✧≖ ͜ʖ≖)