Beginner's Luck: 37

"What is it that you saw Warrior Gettar?"

The Solar Guardian's voice was firm yet invited the discourse. Motioning towards the rift cube, the three of them walked as they talked.

"I was taught that humans were hostile, ravenous, merciless and calculated foes." Gettar wanted to be sure he was clear about his concerns, so he started with this assertion waiting for a response. The Solar guardian nodded and then answered, "Yes, when I fought them many hundreds of years ago- they were some of the most brutal opponents I had ever faced. To this day the humans we encounter in the rift are just as deadly as they once were." The sound of recollection could be heard in the Guardian's voice. That sound was mixed with a tone of respect and hatred towards a longtime foe.

"The village I came upon in the rift was left unguarded and vulnerable. When I had finished culling the non-sentients I found, I was then attacked by one of the enemies. It was a lower boss, and even though the non-sentients in the village were all dead..." Gettar paused trying to find the right words, "The lower boss fought with renewed intensity and ferocity. It was my understanding that humans lacked compassion and empathy. So then why didn't he run? Why fight for the dead non-sentients at all?" The question hung in the air as his two leaders contemplated their response.

"Humans were irrational beings. They would do things out of greed, or anger, or spite- even when there was no perceivable benefit." Termas said with confidence. Gettar nodded slowly before he responded.

"In his last moments before he died, I stripped him of his mask to weaken him. That was when I saw his face... His face was wet with tears. If they lack empathy and compassion, why shed a tear for the dead?" Gettar lifted his mask as he found it difficult to breath. The Solar Guardian lifted his own mask slowly and looked upon the young warrior before him. Gettar met the gaze of the older veteran briefly, before bowing his head out of respect. The old warrior's face carried the emotional scars of the past. Battle damaged, scarred, and hardened the warrior clearly had been gravely wounded in a fight with the humans long ago. The evidence of an old wound presented itself as a long discoloration. The mark traced down the left side of his face, and across his chin.

"You have been scarred from your fight, young warrior. As have I... It is normal to second guess your resolve, or the reasons why we must cull them... But know this: they were a terrible force to be reckoned with, and the universe is better now with them contained as they are." The Solar Guardian's voice carried an unwavering resolve.

"Why is it necessary for us to cull them? This fight with them left me wondering if there were any good or honorable amongst them?" Gettar felt frustrated that all he was getting was the same answers he had received since being a young Initiate. Termas opened his mouth to add to the instruction of their pupil, when Grantermas Mal lifted a hand to silence him.

"Termas... Perhaps it would be best if I took the young warrior with me to talk alone. Wait here for the other two, and I will be sure to answer all the questions he has. He is seeking a deeper knowledge. And it is time we give him a greater understanding of this calling we have." The Solar guardian lowered his mask and bowed.Termas returned the bow without a word and returned to the rift cube to wait.

Gettar and the Guardian walked away from the rift cube towards the northern most wall of the structure. There they found themselves at a spiral staircase that led to the roof of the cathedral. Two guards at the stairwell, that were Initiates, saluted and parted for them. The spiral stairway took them to the roof of the cathedral, several hundred feet up. When they reached the top, they made a short walk to the edge of the balcony. Another set of guards on the balcony turned to impede them, but when they saw the Solar guardian, they merely bowed their heads in acknowledgement and moved away. When they reached the balcony, the sun was setting behind them. Gettar took in the view for this was the first time that he had ever seen what it looked like from the top of the cathedral.

The mega structure that was known as the cathedral sat on top of a stone hill that was surrounded by a valley in all directions. Rolling hills of grass and farmlands in the distance encircled them only being interrupted by the out walls. Surrounding the cathedral on the valley floor was a towering wall that was 100 meters tall and 20 meters wide. A top the wall were more outposts with soldiers. On the outside of the wall is where the settlements of the Derboul could be found, most of the population were clustered at the four gates which were found to the north, east, south and west.

Inside the walls were 10 forts that surrounded the base of the stone hill. Each fort was equidistant from each other; the four largest forts sat on the roads to the gates. The roads were made of cobble stone and eventually met the bottom of the stone hill that served as the foundation for the cathedral. The cobblestone roads transitioned to smooth marble gangways that traced their way up to the cathedral in switchbacks. At the corner of each switchback was a check point with guards. The magnitude of the megastructure was breathtaking and overwhelming to try and comprehend. Grantermas Mal crossed all of his arms behind him and stood looking out across the small metropolis.

"Tell me warrior... Do you know where the rift gates come from?" The Solar Guardian didn't turn to look at Gettar, but continued to look out across the valley.

"I was taught as a child that our ancestors made them to seal away the humans." Gettar turned and waited for the teacher to speak.

"To Initiates and civilians that is the truth... As a warrior- no longer an Initiate, I will tell you a darker truth that we must protect with prudence and fealty: This cathedral, the walls, and the rifts were made by humans." The Solar Guardian didn't turn, even as Gettar stared at him in confusion.

"Impossible...How?" Gettar's mind began to comprehend the implications of it all, he looked down at the stone beneath his feet, and the spires that surrounded him.

"This cathedral was once a human outpost and colony on our world. Long before the war, humans built this in hopes of establishing a permanent presence amongst us. I am told that before their betrayal, this fortress was once full of delegates, warriors, researchers and commerce." Finally, the Solar Guardian turned to face Gettar with his crossed his arms behind his back.

"They crossed the galaxy in their spacecraft. They brought vast knowledge and technology to our people. For a brief time, we collaborated with them even, sharing our wisdom and lending our strength to explore and discovery side by side. But all of that came to an end."

"What changed?" An eager curiosity burned inside of Gettar. He felt a thirst for knowledge and understanding.

"Tell me warrior... Do you know the origin of the Masks we now wear?