The Sun was the center of the universe. This was the most basic axiom of the Heliocentric Theory and the cornerstone of Reilo's worldview.
His understanding, his explorations, his growth, his convictions—everything about Reilo was built on the Heliocentric Theory. In his heart, it was no longer merely an introductory text. It was absolute truth, the foundation of all his understanding of the universe, and the unwavering object of his faith.
And yet, at this very moment...
Entropy was using mental information to reveal the far vaster view of the universe that the Transcendent Civilization had observed and explored. There was another sun in the universe, with celestial bodies of all sizes orbiting it along the same paths, revolving around it in an endless cycle.
There couldn't be two centers to the universe. Did that mean the Sun wasn't the center of the universe?
Had everything he'd believed in for so long been wrong?
"No! No, it can't be! It's absolutely impossible!"
Reilo's heart howled in hysterical denial.
His sky seemed to be breaking apart. Cracks spread toward the distant, unknown horizon as chunks fell away. The ground shook, and crimson slowly swallowed everything he could see.
"The order governing the movements of celestial bodies cannot be changed by anyone! The Star Curtain World isn't a box! The Sunstone is the center of the universe! The world will have to acknowledge the truth of the Heliocentric Theory! In the end, you're nothing but an advanced creature in this world that calls itself a god—you're no omnipotent creator!"
Those had been the martyr's words of defiance, spoken by scholars as they fought the Holy See's oppression. They were also the most primal force of faith in Reilo's heart.
But now...
Everything he had believed in for thousands of years seemed to