A little propaganda I cooked up with a friend of mine
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Every instance turns back on itself, each moment in time repeated forever,
but if that is so, then how does time exist?
They say we are alone in the universe, and they say we are not alone.
Each planet with life is connected by natural and artificial means.
The artificial bridge built on the natural one.
All things are one, spun together in the web of existence.
But a harsh wind can blow the web apart with the ease of a knife through
warm butter. Where then, will we be?
Even more alarming, the web can with little outside effort, be changed
significantly by anyone who can see it as a whole.
The omens portend change
<>
Smoke covers...
Pantraas looked up from the scroll. His brow furrowed in irritation.
He ran his finger over the page, attempting to find the elusive
passage. He gritted his teeth.
"Rrarrgh!" With a angry cry, he swept his arm across the table, sending
numerous scrolls and papers flying. "I can't find the thrice-damned
passage!"
A shadowy figure appeared in the doorway.
"Patience, old friend."
Pantraas sighed. "Shadro, this filthy old document is impossible to
fathom. It twists and turns until it is no longer possible to know
where one began!" He thrust up the offending scroll.
Shadro held out his hand. "Let me take a look at it."
Pantraas handed it over resignedly. "Be careful with it."
Shadro chuckled. "You know me, old friend. I treat ancient scrolls
better than I treat my own family."
Pantraas grinned widely. "Indeed. Your sister told me once that on the
eve of her wedding, you spent hours poring over some obscure scroll on
ancient Pantera mating rituals from over three millennia ago. Apparently,
you were so engrossed by primeval nuptials that you were five hours late
to your sister's."
Shadro snorted. "Reela tends to over-exaggerate at times."
Pantraas gave his friend a knowing look.
Shadro looked indignant. "Besides, it was only four hours."
Pantraas laughed. "Mere details, most punctual one."
Shadro raised an eyebrow. "No need to be condescending. You are not
exactly known for being on time to anything since you left your studies
from the elder."
Pantraas waved his hand. "Enough of this irrelevant banter. We need to
focus on the task at hand."
Shadro squinted and peered at the faded letters of the ancient document.
His eyes quickly scanned the text. "Tell me again, oh learned one. What
exactly should I be looking for?"
Pantraas rubbed his chin. "Well, as you may have ascertained, I have been
searching for the name and location of the chief practitioner of that
specialized school of war that those ancient humans, what was their name?"
Shadro frowned. "Well, there are over fifty different human tribes
mentioned in the holy texts, so I am unsure as to who are referring."
Pantraas looked irritated. "It was name that sounded similar to the lord
of our most puissant and ardent neighbors. Grr-something."
Shadro snapped his fingers. "The Graroraians?"
Pantraas exhaled. "Yes, that is them. So then have you heard of their
school, Unfettered Combat?"
Shadro scratched his chin. "Yes, although its current moniker in all
probability, has diverged into something completely different."
Pantraas waved his hand. "Irrelevant. Just inform me as to what you have
found."
Shadro gritted his teeth. "Well, I found one intriguing piece of
information."
Pantraas pulled himself up. "Old friend, you know I am not one well
suited to waiting patiently."
Shadro grinned widely. "Sit down, hairy one, I think you'll find this
interesting."
Pantraas sat down with force, grumbling loudly. "Let me hear it then most
long-winded one!"
Shadro laughed. He wiped his eyes. "I apologize. It is only that your
face looks quite comical."
Pantraas glared with a ferocity at his compatriot.
Shadro hid his smile behind the document. "According to the document, the
school's techniques and philosophy were stolen and corrupted by a
diminutive human from a distant planet."
Pantraas tried to conceal his amusement. "Perhaps you could tell me this
human's name?"
Shadro coughed. "Of course. His name was -" Shadro snorted. "Happosai."
The two burst into laughter.
<>
Darkness falls
A lone figure looked up in the night and sneezed.
"That's odd. I never get sick. Ah well. It's time to visit my latest
haul!"
<>
Fin (for now)
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