《An Odyssey Into Another Land》


 Chapter 0 - Prologue

    The sound of the morning was audible, a Blackbird was resting on a branch, flooding his song into this scenario. The sound of insects, the rustle of leaves and other animals were also heard, but it was the Blackbird that stood out. The sky was sapphire color, and this different color refers to the fact that the provision of the elements in this planet air are different from what the reader is accustomed. The distance between the Blackbird and the nearest town were five miles of pure vegetation. First, it was possible to see long plowed fields and something similar to cattle running through steppe-like vegetation, further, peasants were tending the land of their masters, they worked throughout the day, around 16 hours a day, with a 2-hour rest in the middle of the afternoon. The days on this planet had 32 hours, because of the existence of a second moon, this very fact makes the working conditions even worse for their inhabitants commoners, this made many of them ventured outside their homes. They dreamed of a life of adventure in search of legendary treasures, or seek to rise in religious career serving the priests, or waited to be called for battles on behalf of their masters thus winning military positions. More to the center of this city is where the "professionals" are, this is the name given to those with specific professions, for example: artisans, merchants, prostitutes, artists, etc. Life in the inner city was very different and although unhealthy, the place was safer because experienced knights, usually privileged commoners, formed the manor guard. This inner urban areas, was also protected by a great wall, which meant that these people do not need to worry so much about external threat. Within the first urban circle, there were 20,000 inhabitants, while outside of the walls people were divided into small villages each had between 60 (sixty) to a thousand inhabitants. Finally, in the ¡°truly inner city¡± were the great pharaonic buildings of the nobles, priests and the castle of the great ruler of the whole city and his family. In all the other kingdoms, this type of urban pattern was produced.


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    The animals are varied, each kingdom knew well the land animals of their own continent, usually studied them through reports and drawings of adventurers and hunters, as marine animals they had less knowledge about, thanks to the ferocity of this world ocean, few people ventured in the journey of navigation. Navigation was a taboo, condemned by religious and inferred as a practice against the Creator, it caused several developmental problems, and even if the total population of this planet were millions of humanoid inhabitants, great philosophers could predict the extinction of this species, but members of the Order of True Thinkers (OVP) executed those who pointed this out.


    This planet had a larger amount of oxygen available. Because of this, there were beings similar to the insect¡¯s class with larger sizes (4-6 ft). Another impressive animals condition was the fact that the nightly habit animals were much fiercer, due to the brighter night, sometimes some peasant were shattered while walking through the long night.


    The humanoid beings were also not in a single race, and I do not speak of ethnic difference, but significant genetic variations. This fact occurred due to the large planetary extension (Super-Earth) generating large geographic differences, the possible ecological balance had also a master role in this matter, but since the variety of races leads to inter-racial competition and imminent production of hybrid types, in some extent there was a terrifying homogeneity.


    These are the basics of the Super-Earth, often called Culinus.

 Chapter 1 - But one man alone …

    But one man alone ¡­


    although his heart yearned the return to his loved previous land


    the mighty lustrous goddess and the glorious god, held the hero back,


    with them an agreement was formed, great effort made his feet stand


    cross all the land, know all my people, they said in an unison yack


    return to us when you have established new parameters,


    this world is calling for you ---- Sophrosseus, go find the travelers.


    His half-closed eyelids moved slowly, he felt like he had passed through a long sleep, two melodic voices reciting old verses could still be heard in his head. The prior stunning passed slowly, finally he looked around, a large space appeared in front of his eyes, the plain was prevalent in this scenario, rock formations was only seen in bluish at the end of his field of vision. The air was strangely invigorating, but he felt heavier, as if he had gained some weight while sleeping. He turned his attention to his own body, but seemed to keep its original size.


    The man gets up and tries to remember. What is the next thing to do in this strange situation?.


    A momentary flash goes through his mind, the voices of a couple return, they repeat the previous words, as if their mission is to settle these words between his thoughts. The stunning gets worse. They are two fantastic beings, dressed in the most delicate garment that he had ever seen, the fabrics were gently stripped on the body of both, and as if they were floating, they spoke in the sweetest voice ever heard.


    The mysterious words seemed to be an ancient prophecy. A prophecy quoting his own name, Sophrosseus, that is, his own prophecy.


    Sophrosseus wonders what is this place, because where he lived there were few parks, and none would have such a great extent, I might have been kidnapped and taken to the countryside, he thought.


    I need to follow a minimally reasoned direction.The sun was directly overhead, and then he calculated that should be around 12 o''clock in the afternoon, that would give him at least another 6 hours of daylight to find a shelter. As already noticed, there was not a single sign of civilization, and if it was within his country there should be roads in the vicinity. He tried to pay attention to the sounds around him, but heard nothing other than the sounds of nature. With some new efforts he realized in the distance an open space area, with fewer trees, probably should be some kind of plantation. The plants domestication is one of the most basic forms of civilization, but it is enough to guide me in this vast field.


    It did not take more than an hour to get him to a trail that led to a small village.Some houses already were visible, 30 houses could be counted. That''s odd, there is a large plantation, but they have few houses around and no evidence of major roads capable of carrying the goods. It has to be a major city near by.


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    Reaching the promised village, he rested in the first wall he found, took his shoes off, and felt a well-deserved relief. He returned his gaze to the sky and noticed that the Sun seemed to be in exactly same position as before. It should had move a little, anyway, if I find someone nice enough to show me directions, perhaps I can return home as soon as possible.


    He got up, walked around the building where he was and properly entered the village. Now, he could see more of the village overall. None of the houses seemed to have any machinery traces. I thought mechanization had already spreaded through all the countryside. This is worrying, a ride will be impossible to get.


    A few more steps were taken for the first villain be found, it was a child, inferred by the size of it, but something in her appearance was very confusing.


    I stared at her for a few seconds, until she realized. Then I froze, first felt an overwhelming sense of nausea which was turned into an unusual curiosity. I came back from my thoughts, realized the ridiculous action that had committed, she probably should receive these prying eyes constantly because of it''s exotic look.


    Embarrassed, I asked if she knew where I could find adults. She pointed out some people in the field that had gone unnoticed by me, and a man across the street, which was walking by. I thanked her and went to meet the person on the other side of the street. I made a slight whistle and he looked back. I realized that those peculiar physical characteristics of the girl behind me, also were present in this so different being.


    His eyes had more distance from its peculiar nose than I was used to, the skin was wrapped in some kind of very viscous oils, which made him reflect more sunlight on its skin, giving the impression of a full plastic body.


    "You are quite different" he said, looking deep into my eyes, and continued:


    "Never heard reports of a race like yours, but I will not discriminate against you as they others would, listen carefully, do not know from where you came or how you got here, but I would recommend you to not travel to the great land of the Lord."


    A genetic disease? Maybe?, Sophrosseus wondered. Well does not matter, just need to return home. Ignoring much of what was said, he continued:


    "I''m in a hurry, probably was kidnapped, I just need you to tell me how to get in the nearest town"


    "I am not going to stop or warn you again, to the nearest town just follow this street, turn right one block, one block to the left, go through the house with red gate, look at the horizon and you will soon see the great Lord capital. It does not take even one hour walk from here. If you can, buy modestly clothes to cover your ugly face, or anyone will stop gazing at you."


    "Thank you, I think."


    The man stayed with a very serious face, shook slightly his head in denial and kept his walk.