Yilan-Tai'er

What color is the sky?

The sky is not a crimson dome of Shelter, but a vast expanse above the cold sea; it should be blue, like the color of our hair.

When young Aifu lay in her father's arms, listening to him tell stories of what lay beyond the Shelter, she was unaware of the pain and fate behind these inherited memories. She simply imagined with anticipation, then innocently asked—why is the sky blue?

Then her father would smile and tell her that the essence of the sky is the thick air surrounding the planets, which is captured and constrained by the planets' gravity, neither too much nor too little, just right.

The reason the sky is blue is because a colossal, brilliant fireball floats in the distant darkness beyond the sky, shining its light upon the Mortal World for countless years. This light is composed of seven colors, which, though fused together, remain independent and distinct, scattering in several shades across the sky. Only the remaining azure portion gives the boundless sky its beautiful azure hue.

My father said that the planet was not filled with seawater. During the era of Yilan-Tai'er, about 20 percent of the area was not submerged by seawater, and that waterless region was called land.

There are waterless peaks and waterless plains, but it is not entirely without water; pure water flows through them—lakes and rivers, waterfalls and streams—nurturing life with their clear, sweet water.

Thus, greenery spread everywhere, towering mushrooms formed forests, Six-Rayed Bird soared through the sky, and Star-Armored Leopard swept through the jungle. Intelligent creatures explored the earth, understanding the essence of fire from the phenomena of lightning splitting giant trees and igniting flames. The first extraordinary beings were the shamans of the barbaric era, who established the first order in the name of the gods. Thus, villages formed, fortresses rose, and kingdoms were established, experiencing rise and fall...

The young child looked at her father with a blank expression. His broad, warm hand patted her head, and he spoke to her in a lonely tone that she still remembers vividly.

He said, "This is Civilization."

Civilization, this word seems to possess endless charm, yet it is not something an innocent child can understand or comprehend. However, she still intuitively sensed the weight of this word, and she inquired about everything related to it, asking what exactly Civilization is.

My father answered patiently, always with great patience. He knew everything about the world, not just the Shelter, but the entire Mortal World, everything.

She learned a name from her father.

Yilan-Tai'er.

This is the name of a Civilization.

Their... Civilization.

Leaving the land and setting sail for the distant ocean, they achieved remarkable feats with boundless wisdom and passion, creating a colossal city floating on the sea, taming countless ferocious beasts in the deep sea, transforming their mortal bodies into extraordinary powers, conquering the ocean, and casting their gaze upon the distant sky. The brilliance of their Civilization was infinitely radiant, and no one could stop their advance... until the flames of destruction fell from the sky.

An insurmountable enemy destroyed a prosperous era and brought an end to the glory of Civilization.

Yilan-Tai'er pooled the nation's resources to build a formidable refuge, gathering the flames of Civilization and its most elite members within, and sinking it into the deep sea to await the day of revival. And they, Aifu, her father, mother, and brothers and sisters of the tribe, are the proud descendants of this glorious Civilization. They bear the sacred mission of the entire Civilization, waiting, and filled with hope, until the day when Civilization is rebuilt.

This is the mission that Aifu was instilled with and taught from a young age.

She studied, practiced, and worked day and night, waiting with hope. But the enthusiastic and optimistic girl always overlooked some details—the tribe often migrated between the vast Shelter, her father often looked at the distant jet nozzles alone and sighed silently, the crimson dome of the Shelter remained unchanged, Aifu never saw the real sky, that clear blue like her hair.

Until a sudden attack destroyed everything she owned.

Family, friends, tribe, home—everything was wiped out in a sudden attack. The attackers were not ferocious lizards, but their own people, just like them—fervent, ruthless, and filled with hatred. And on that day, Aifu learned the truth about the world.

She, her father, her relatives and friends, and the entire tribe were not the proud people of Yilan-Tai'er they considered themselves to be; they had another name among another group of their former kin.

Those Oathbreakers.

And the somber space beneath the dark red dome where she had lived so far was not the Shelter her father had advocated, but rather something called...

Land of Atonement.

The howling wind interrupted Aifu's thoughts. The shouts of battle drew near. She gripped her trident tightly and gazed at the surging crowd beneath the dark red dome.

Those ragged people, their faces filled with fanaticism, their eyes brimming with hatred and murderous intent, wielded the most rudimentary bone weapons. The Radiant Crystal circuits on their bodies were merely the most primitive, recyclable versions, which consumed a great deal of life force, but could extract and unleash the most powerful potential in a short period of time.

"The Oathbreakers!"

"Traitor!"

Do you want to anger the gods and bring down devastating suffering once more?

"Don't drag us down with you!"

"This is our sin! How could we leave our cages on our own before being pardoned!?"

The roars, questions, and howls were all heartfelt; the fanatical creatures howled madly, gripping their weapons, ready to pounce.

Their menacing gazes reminded Aifu of a nightmare from many years ago.

Those people who shared the same physical form and spoke a similar language unleashed unprecedented ferocity and malice. They mercilessly slaughtered her relatives and friends, showing no pity whatsoever, only cold-blooded cruelty, sparing not even children.

Aifu's hand gripped the trident so tightly it hurt.

Looking at these fanatical tribesmen, she felt both angry and sad.

How tragic this is.

These people, like her, were descendants of Yilan-Tai'er.

That once glorious Civilization, on the eve of its destruction, gathered all its strength to create a final refuge, making the most heroic sacrifices and giving up all the essence and hope of its Civilization. The most outstanding, wisest, bravest, and most perfect members of the entire Civilization were selected and sent to the Shelter: scholars, warriors, engineers, and extraordinary individuals.

It also contains all the wisdom and hard work of Yilan-Tai'er.

They bear a sacred mission, awaiting the dissipation of the heavenly fire and the arrival of hope. At that time, the sturdy Shelter will reopen, and the most outstanding people of Yilan-Tai'er will return to the Mortal World to rebuild their home. If this generation cannot do it, then the next generation, and the generation after that... forever and ever, upholding their mission.

And now?

Those ragged, fanatical sinners, having transformed themselves with twisted and deadly Radiant Crystal circuits, became mentally deranged and acted erratically. They ate nutritional blocks made from sea cockroaches, endlessly and tirelessly undertaking hard labor, their birth quotas strictly and precisely controlled, ready to dedicate themselves to the priests at any time, showing no regard for loyalty, dignity, will, or life.

Because they are sinners.

Having once attempted to challenge the gods, he was imprisoned in the deep sea as punishment. The curse entwines his soul, life after life, and even in death, he will be reincarnated and continue to suffer punishment. Only through faithful dedication and complete atonement can he be forgiven by the gods and freed from this endless prison.

They firmly believed this, which is why they accepted their suffering without question and relished the exploitation and oppression of the priests, because they were sinners who wanted to atone for their sins.

How tragic.

Every time Aifu sees these blind, fanatical, and ignorant people, a sense of extreme absurdity and powerlessness fills her heart. Do these people who call themselves sinners know that countless years ago, their ancestors were the best and most perfect individuals chosen by Aifu Civilization? Before the extinction of their race, they were given the heaviest and most sacred mission: to rebuild Civilization.

They should be the best, wisest, most resilient, and most persistent waiters in the Shelter.

However, Yilan-Tai'er's calculations were flawed.

Or rather, in the desperate struggle of a race on the brink of extinction, even the most brilliant sages could not foresee all the variables of the future. This Shelter Plan as Civilization was not without flaws, and perhaps the rulers of Yilan-Tai'er who drove all of this were merely seeking peace of mind... It has simply been far too long.

So long ago, the calendar system for calculating the years has been lost.

At least five major coups have occurred in the Shelter over a long period of time.

The persistence in reviving Civilization faded in despair, and the new power class abandoned blood feuds and missions, weaving the most shameless lies, concentrating the vast majority of resources, and turning the vast majority of the people into reusable pigs, dogs, cattle, and sheep.

Thus, a stable pyramid structure was established, with the top monopolizing absolute material and military power, as well as the right to speak and interpret. The majority of the people lost their right to knowledge and gradually lost their property. They became ignorant, weak, uninformed, and submissive.

There were no more cases of Radiant Crystal Psychosis, no more desperate madness after hope was shattered, no more angry uprisings, no more bloody coups. Thus, the social structure of the entire Shelter was completely stabilized.

Only a few discordant notes remain—ethnic groups who, for various reasons, still remember their history and keep their mission in mind, flee the city and wander among the changing landscapes of the Shelter. They are contemptuously called "Oathbreakers" by the priests, traitors who attempt to defy the judgment of the gods and escape from prison.

Today, the prison gates are on the verge of opening.

Aifu closed her eyes and murmured to herself.

Father, whatever happens, will come to an end.

She suddenly opened her eyes, looked at the nets surrounding her, and shouted sharply, "Come out! I know you've come— Tuosidiwa!"

The prisoners roared in anger, for it was a grave offense to call the priest by his name.

Immediately following, the crowd surged forward, the lowly sinners obediently making way, and warriors clad in heavy armor of Primal Gel and wielding giant blades stepped forward, guarding the enormous war crab. A golden-armored figure atop it held a scepter, gazing at the surrounded figures from afar, a calm voice emanating from behind a golden mask.

"Surrender, Aifu," the man said. "We all know you have no chance—you too possess noble blood, valued and delighted by the gods, and I do not wish to harm you."

The two did not conceal their conversation. Upon hearing the words "valued and pleased by the gods," the prisoners who had been staring intently at Aifu showed surprise and awe, and even unconsciously moved their weapons away.

"You don't want to hurt me?" Aifu sneered. "Sending assassins to kill me, is that what you call not wanting to hurt me?"

As she spoke, her body trembled involuntarily, not from fear, but from anger, because the one who had just attacked her was not a sudden assassin, but a traitor who had been lurking beside her all along.

It was clearly Tuosidiwa who planted or turned this traitor.

Her former best friend, the person who once made her heart flutter.

After her tribe was destroyed and she fled in exile, she endured much hardship and had many miraculous encounters. She even traveled to Shelter and came to the area now known as City of Redemption to make a living.

There she made many friends. She even worked as a gladiator, number ninety-one. She fought with Tuosidiwa, and through their initial conflict, they became good friends.

At that time, she didn't know who the other person was.

The golden-armored man sighed, "Believe it or not, this wasn't my intention. I know what you're trying to do, but I beg you not to. I have my reasons. Please lay down your weapons. I can explain to you properly that everything you've done is meaningless and will only lead to worse consequences..."

"--Then why don't you say it here!"

Aifu laughed loudly, "Tell them everything you've done! Tell them the truth! Tell them that you've woven the most evil and shameless lies, deceiving these people all along, making them believe they are sinners, giving them everything for your luxurious lifestyle!"

"Tell them! Tell them that they, like us, are noble and glorious descendants of Yilan-Tai'er. We bear the heavy responsibility of rebuilding Civilization, and should have bravely and persistently awaited hope, forged ahead, and never given up on any possibility of escape—but you have destroyed it all!"

By this point, she was filled with grief and indignation, her voice sharp and stern.

Tuosidiwa remained silent.

Because he didn't even need to speak, a torrent of opposition surged forth—curses, rebuttals, heated debates, roars. Everyone was yelling at her, denouncing her as a liar and a fraud, just as she had tried a thousand times to tell the truth, but no one believed her words, and it always had been that way.

Aifu clenched her teeth, her body trembling with anger.

Her tribe was destroyed and her family perished as a result. This was a blood feud. Her father's dying wish became Aifu's lifelong obsession and support. She was obsessed with her mission and the reconstruction of the Yilan-Tai'er Civilization because she could find no other meaning in life or reason to live.

But what she saw was so hopeless. The sacred mission of the past had vanished with the passage of time, and the heavy trust of the ancestors could not withstand the ravages of time. She had explored ruins large and small, which were proof that the Yilan-Tai'er had been there. But now, evil was firmly established in the Land of Atonement, and the priests had tamed most of the people into pigs and dogs, making them muddle-headed and beyond redemption.

My father said that in ancient times, intelligent beings comprehended and awakened extraordinary powers from natural phenomena. They claimed to be gods and performed sacrifices to command their people and establish the first order.

That was the dawn of Civilization, the barbaric and ancient era of shamanism.

It's so similar to the Shelter we have today...

A group of so-called priests monopolized resources and power, and used the name of the gods to tame the people.

What a tragic thing it is that Yilan-Tai'er, the Shelter that held our last hope during its heyday, has gradually degenerated into its most primitive form in endless waiting.

But what's even more tragic is that she's powerless against it. The priests wield immense military force and have an incredibly deep grip on City of Redemption. The people have been brainwashed and firmly believe in the rhetoric of atonement. Even though the Oathbreakers their best to spread the word, all they get in return is angry rebukes, rebuttals, and even reports from the other side.

She was once in despair and even considered giving up her mission, until hope arrived.

The discovery of the diving vehicle, which came from the outside world, was a stroke of luck, because it was not a priest from City of Redemption who found it, but the one who carried the true legacy of Yilan-Tai'er.

Aifu had completely given up on the priests. She didn't think revealing the truth or negotiating with them would be of any use. So the Oathbreakers other plans. She made contact with a country that claimed to be the Arcane Council and guided them step by step to collect and process the raw materials in preparation for the seal removal.

Due to various unforeseen circumstances, the Shelter's own de-sealing system has collapsed, but external systems still exist as a precaution, because the original Shelter Plan more than just this one facility.

Aifu has made up her mind—once the Shelter unsealed, the Eternal Tower, which serves as an escape launch tower, will operate on its own and initiate the escape procedure. This process is irreversible, and the priests are powerless to stop it. Whether they like it or not, the remnants of Yilan-Tai'er will see the light of day again.

At that time, she was confident that she could persuade Tuosidiwa to open the tower and summon all her people to embrace the future.

Unexpected changes occurred. Despite her best efforts to keep it a secret, the traitor Tuosidiwa had planted by her side eventually discovered something. A failed assassination attempt shattered the crystal plate used to transmit information, and the priests realized her plot. With a large army pressing in, armed conflict was inevitable.

"Aifu, this is your last chance."

Tuosidiwa's voice was tinged with a sigh, "Stop trying to mislead everyone with your words. Faithful redeemers will not succumb to external instigation. They will face their past sins with equanimity in exchange for future forgiveness and even glory. Therefore, you Oathbreakers, you only have one path to take..."

Aifu gazed at Tuosidiwa from afar, her eyes flashing with disdain and contempt, and she let out a slow sigh.

Then, slowly kneel down.

Tuosidiwa paused, his voice quickening. "You're surrendering?"

"No, this is an apology, not to you, nor to them, but to all the forefathers who suffered and sacrificed for today, both now and long ago. We will be deeply troubled and ashamed for the great sin we have committed against our people, but we will not stop. Whatever the outcome, we will pray to fate with hope, just as our ancestors did..."

Aifu's voice was calm yet heavy.

"Hopefully this is Yilan-Tai'er's last civil war."

She suddenly stood up.

Disappointed and Gandhi, Tuosidiwa shouted, "Prepare for battle!"

"Do you know, Tuosidiwa? For far too long, we've been confined to this tiny Shelter. Our Civilization boasts war techniques that can be considered art, yet we've never had the chance to put them to use. Our resources are indeed scarce. Your armies are only used for melee-like hack-and-slash battles, while Mortal World Civilization have forged strength through countless wars. And now, I'll teach you a lesson."

The trident, raised high, slammed down heavily onto the ground.

A terrifying roar echoed through the Shelter, marking the first time in countless years that a magically powered device had resounded across the skies of Yilan-Tai'er.

The descendants of the old Civilization witnessed the power of the new era. This clash between old and new was just like the fate that Yilan-Tai'er was about to face. The prisoners stared in disbelief as the huge metal monster smashed through the gate and roared out!

The Sea Traveler submarine, sunk by a deep-sea monster, crashed into the edge of the Shelter, and was acquired by Aifu, was not wasted at all.

The metal shells, shipborne attack magic devices, power units, crystal supplies, and individual enchanted equipment representing the Arcane Council's top military technology were all dismantled. During this period, they were forged and modified into terrifying raiding monsters, and the methods of using them were easily extracted from the Council.

Three heavy war chariots, resembling land fortresses, roared forward, breaking through the crowd's obstruction, and shot towards the Eternal Tower. Elemental light danced in the air, and magical artifacts opened fire fiercely!

Burn down this city!

￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥

PS1: So sleepy... There's no problem writing a story on its own about Yilan-Tai'er, but unfortunately, I just don't have the energy.