daily #3 swc july 2024 for solarpunk 585 words The kingdom of Aecheshaven was admired by whoever saw it. A flawless balance of connection with nature, innovative technology, and kind and tender habitants that could help you with whatever you needed, because they were educated in all subjects, problems, and the like. It was described and used in music, literature, and art as a sign of perfection. They received perfect sunlight that made it look just like a fairy haven in a fantasy story. The daylight was so flattering that almost all activities were done outside. But just because the sun shone like that, uniformly all throughout the land, didn’t mean the moon wasn’t stunning, either. In fact, Aecheshaven was even more beautiful when the night fell. Lights were turned off in basically every household, but there were lamp posts in every street and fairy lights in the park trees. This was a generations-long dream that had finally come to life after many years of fighting. And rulers were willing to give their all to maintain it. Right? ~ “Everything is fine”, I reassured my friends in the middle of the crisis. “The Majestics can handle this, and they will do so perfectly”. They shook their heads in disbelief, not wanting to accept what I’d just said. “There’s no way…” Fael shouted, pacing across the room. “There’s no way you believe that.” “Listen. The Majestics do not care about us, not anymore. What you’re seeing is just a facade, one that faded many years ago. Do you notice the state of this place? Two thirds of the population have fled. Aecheshaven is not what it was ten years ago and you-” Norvi took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. “You’re stuck on something that’s not real and you don’t understand the gravity of it.” “Except I do. The Majestics have the power for a reason. And if they’ve maintained it this long, it’s because people respect them and trust them.” How did Fael and Norvi not get it? It’s simple logic. “If the people didn’t agree with this government, they would overthrow it. Yet - and this is what you first learn in school - they themselves founded this kingdom. You wouldn’t be here without them.” I shrugged it off as if it was something obvious. “Ryn. Look me in the eyes.” Fael, evidently tired of having this conversation once more, spoke strangely calmly and with authority. So I did. “Now tell me something. Who are the Majestics? What do you know about them? And why, for crying out loud, do you trust them with your life?” This left me speechless. Fael stared at me for a few seconds. Then he left, Norvi closely following. I could hear them whispering before they shut the door. ~ I know I am alone in this. How foolish of me to not listen to my friends. I could barely remember their names now, but the argument we had ten years ago was engraved into my mind. Over the last twenty years, Aecheshaven had completely fallen apart. The borders closed not long after my friends escaped, annoyed and fed up with my stubbornness. Once no one got in or out, the Majestics started abusing their power, exploiting both the natural resources and the handful of people left. With no contact to the outside world and to avoid going insane, I’m writing the story down. Maybe it will be found by archeologists or something in the future. Why wait for the future to come? My life is meaningless right now anyways.
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