the game begins

My thoughts travel backward to a fading past, memories interchange with my experiences in the State Schools. All the expectations of my life are unfulfilled distant memories. Will this be any different. What will this experience bring, what do I expect of this School, the Hyrayarch. Unfamiliar faces pass by in their vehicles racing to appointments amid the setting of common apartments. Trades people live in unwavering lines in strict conformity. Alonian civilization is advanced primitive luxury that provides little comfort. The industrial life is poisoning the earth. Commerce spreads out in giant technological vines of protective business networks. All are caught in invisible sticky webs of false utopias. This is pinnacle of civilization is in constant turmoil.

The State Schools teach Alonia has no equal. Their truth is the only truth. It leads the first world with developed unlimited energy systems. Alonia is unrivaled technological power. The history of Alonian advancement is laced with greed and avarice. The technological development is followed by a wake of pain and suffering. Advancements of these years are occuring beyond old imaginations. The world of Alonia is power for the sake of power.

Nzrael, the lower world, is a cursed world. It's hot climate and harsh deserts holds nights of cold desolation. A mountainous desert filled with poverty, suffering, brutality, and drudgery. It is hard to believe that these two worlds are on the same planet. The mines of Xsian of Nzrael are filled with death, disease and hunger. The desert plains of Almzion are swept by cold winds coming from nothingness.

The world of Lanea contains the Golden Age for Alonians and the dark Age of Nzrael. For the ones who live upon Nzrael, the Xsians, life is misery. The only release from the mining pits of Mt. Selv is a quick death.

The capital city of Riusm upon the continent of Ion holds the sky scraping governmental offices dominating all business and technology. Ion is flanked by the Islands of Rota and Shalin. Rota provides for agricultural nourishments, while Shalin is pristine forested wilderness holding minerals, elements and raw material resources for civilization.

The State Schools teach the facts. The cultures of peoples evolved upon these Islands. The past is estimated to go back 25,000 years to a time when civilization began. Before that was nothing but uncivilized beast man. The civilizations are a mix of many peoples that have developed under different climates and evolutions.

Riding the bus up the corridor into downtown Riusm the view is spectacular. The pure white spire of the Hyrayarch rises off to itself on a small hill above downtown. That is the Sanctuary, the home of the Hyrayarch. The university group.

In the city center I depart the bus. By foot near the Government buildings called the Platricia, I travel on the city walkways. The downtown area weaves through parks and massive offices.

In the rush of the masses I proceed quietly through the magnificent architecture. The classical ancient Alonian designs mix with the new modern glass and steel structures to form a crown of civilized wonder above the streets. The looping walk way ends, and stepping off to rest in the park.

My strength is weakened by the journey here. I have lost so much. The wound I feel is painfully deep. I am not as strong as I once was, but my dreams call me forward. I cannot refuse them, I hold to these dreams. I am Rysa, born in Alpera on Rota. I am here in Riusm to learn from the Hyrayarch at their Sanctuary.

I hold to life without fire.

I am wounded, my heart is broken, yet I am here to find myself. All I wish is to reach for self respect. I reach out for help. I must learn and face ignorance, unfold my powerful desire again I have been holding my dream in a death grip. I have suffocated it losing my will to go on. My dreams of teaching in the state Universities have been destroyed. I lost the will, the desire for something better. Everything the State Schools offers are empty, mundane, without integrity. The State Institutes left a stuporous evasive philosophy of pointlessness. Never did they reach out to touch truth.

Perhaps, I expect too much from them. Is it too much to ask for truth? These teachers live in a vacuous factory environment. The schooling is not for wisdom, but for physical profit. It is only about greed. They are run by the industries. Intuition is killed, understanding discounted in their work relationship with the conglomerates.

I rather not be part of the world than to be bought and sold like the cattle of Tauzn. So I chose to become a Solian. I see my error and how this decision has hurt, but helped me arrive here. I pray to Zyan that I have made a wise choice in coming here. I hope the Hyrayarch will provide the right education and a worthwhile place.

I became infected with the disease when I was a Solian. In their service within the Ingersol I lost myself. The glow of life vanished and I became a shadow. I followed a lesser destiny.

My life will not fade into pastel meaninglessness. Forgotten memories will not leave me in a hypnotic stupor. The future is a choice to live or die. In the clear blue sky of Alonia I see others around me doing what they dream. Why is it I am so separated from my dream. I am not afraid, but I am afraid of a life of dull routine without purpose.

A glimmer, a spark, a voice of an anguished angel made me aware of my purpose. The purpose beyond the grasp of materialism, beyond the certainty of death's ultimate depreciation. Where is this purpose in Alonia?

One ember in my soul is left to ignite the flame of life.