EPISODE 200: CODEX OF EARTH 1

— GREAT EDRYAN, YEAR 7292. SEASON: NEW BEGINNING.

"I think that's enough for today—we're making progress, but… are you certain you wish to go through with it," an owl chirped.

Minerva cocked her head to the side as she watched the [Aspect of Knowledge]—Rasheed—slowly halt his process of infusing… everything … into the dragon eggs before him. The red dragon was in his humanoid form—a scaly visage showing only human skin around his core facial areas. Two obsidian dark bull-like horns sprouted from the side of his head, while another pair like that of an ibex shot straight upward.

"Hmmmhahaha, we are close, young Minerva—so close," an ailed, scratchy voice responded.

The Aspect eyes were sunken but full of life. He stood tall, nearly six meters, and his once full frame had diminished significantly. His presence, however, only seemed to increase with surging vitality.

Rasheed vertical irises aligned on Minerva, his clawed scaled hands shaking from his earlier exertion. He studied the owl, the being that rekindled his hopes and dreams and opened his mind to a new way of seeing. His gaze was gentle, like an elder watching a new generation of their family. The ebony-gradient owl blinked slowly, one red-gold eye closing after another. She was reminiscent of a horned owl outside of her stark and uniform plumage.

Minerva was larger—nearly the size of the average Edryan adult male. Her appearance and gaze suggested wisdom beyond her years, yet there was a startling youth to her vitality and general aura. There was a bracelet around her arm, one that transmitted her words into the air.

"Shall we," Rasheed offered a forearm.

Minerva hopped off her perch, gently gliding forward before landing on the Aspect holder's arm. "Lets."

They emerged from the Aspect's laboratory—the huge tubes filled with creature remains seemed to be a thing of the past as Rasheed scurried past them, emerging into a bright hall. Left behind were eggs, dragon eggs that were once dull and stone-like now held a subtle shift—one that was impossible for the mortal eye to see, but as one who spent thousands—tens of thousands of years—the Aspect was very susceptible to any changes taking place with his children. His eyes, aged, yellow-gold, illuminated a future only he could envision that was soon to come true.

Quietly, the two made their way through the halls of the mountain. There was little conversation between the two, not that it made the air awkward; instead, it was from a deep understanding of one another—not much needed to be said. The Aspect halted at two large grand doors, gently opening them before stepping in. He walked to a perch, which Minerva hopped onto. Books and papers were scattered around the room, with flying perches in multiple spots.

"Well then, I bid you goodnight, Minerva—we shall resume once I've recovered a significant portion of my Life Points," Rasheed smiled gently before exiting her room.

Minerva continued to sit on her perch—deep within her consciousness, she could feel it… feel him —her body… the main part of her consciousness and where the soul resided. Lawruthian was back in the forest where Wyvern's Roost—he was still far, too far for the two to uphold mental communication, but Minerva believed it wouldn't be more than a week before that changed.

She knew Rasheed fought to delay him, deploying the creatures of the forest in endless raids against him and whatever forces he brought along. She missed him, missed sitting on that shoulder and whispering advice into his head. She missed the treats he would specially prepare for her.

…

But…

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There was a job to be done.

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And…

…

Minerva did not want to leave until it was accomplished.

…

A complicated expression, one that only an owl could make, appeared on her face. She was Lawruthian, and he was her, but… just… separate ideologies that stemmed from who they once were.

Lawrence Brown was dead. First killed on earth in the process of saving Celina, the woman he loved, from being run over. Then, they… when they were still under one mind, and the system hadn't yet activated their perk… killed him again to become Lawruthian Imperius Koltius Edryani—Chosen of Madris and the Holy Prince of Edryan.

…

It was complicated .

…

That was an understatement. It was beyond complicated. It was an introspective and delicate subject, properly addressed through a self-reflective, if distorted, internal revision of themself.

…

Lawrence Brown believed himself to be a [Hero], thus, the [Hero] Lawruthian was born.

…

But…

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What exactly is a [Hero]?

…

Minerva sighed, unable to answer that question. Well, she had an answer… everyone did. Their own idealized version of what it means to be a man beyond a man… a superior man, if you will.

To Minerva, and perhaps Lawruthian… a [Hero]… was someone who did what was necessary for the greater population.

However, both she and Lawruthian didn't always agree on execution. While Lawruthian developed for sixteen years under the Edryan tutorage—learning from Eliana and Garo Drumian, he was subjected to a change of mentality and viewership on the wider population and the systematic nature in which their society functioned.

Everything in Edryan—in the Genesis Realm was classed based. Thus, the Classed-Based Constitutional Monarchy was born. Rudimentary when Minerva was still present, but she held no doubt it'd be in place by now, if not shortly. She knew herself better than anyone. Better than anyone.

Minerva still hadn't answered the question… what is a [Hero]?

She flapped once and appeared on a new perch—this time, there was a floating desk in front of her, and a quill dipped in ink ready to write her thoughts on the empty page of the book of her thoughts aptly named a journal.

She wrote:

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What is a [Hero]?

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And, as she wrote it, her thoughts drifted to that faithful day in which she concocted her plan, and her main consciousness escaped to the Hall of Attributes. Hopefully…, she would answer that now.

— Edryan Queendom, Year: 7291. Season Color: Fading.

"Something… isn't right," Minerva chirped at Lawruthian. Her wings fluttered just a bit, surprised as her voice emerged into the air for the first time. It was pleasant sounding—a light, feminine voice filled with youth like a young librarian new to her job.

She was a bit startled at hearing her voice properly for the first time, but that feeling quickly disappeared. She turned to Lawruthian, who'd only recently awakened from their night's rest in the small room. Their experience in Rasheed's domain hadn't been pleasant—whether it was their living quarters, which were meant for servants, or if it was the intrinsic, carefully concealed hostility that seemed to be present when interacting with the Aspect. Minerva knew that they weren't welcomed in a manner someone of their status should be.

"Get ready, grab your gear," Minerva snapped Lawruthian away from his thoughts—her main body fully coming to consciousness.

She watched him move, grabbing a heavy, black, spatially expanded bracelet he crafted himself. Within was the newly crafted part suit, mainly golem and other life-saving items he managed to craft in the time allocated to them. There was a half-put-together plan of escape, and they needed to be ready at any point.

Minerva studied him, over the past few days, he hadn't slept much. His hair was slightly disheveled, but it remained bright with optimism and hope. It was only recently they gave several higher-level books to Aspect Rasheed—books on organic and physical chemistry, molecular biology, and more would keep his attention while they worked.

Lawruthian worked quickly, and soon he finished his preparations—it was only then that both Minerva and he looked around, slightly confused. They recently grew accustomed to sharing a room, and with as much noise as they made, it was impossible for another voice not to interrupt them.

Together, they spoke out at once, their voices harmonized. "Where is Madria?"

…

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A moment of deep, surgical silence passed before their voices spoke once more. "Shit… shit! Rasheed ."

How did Minerva not notice anything going on? She was the lighter sleeper of the two… how could she not notice Madria vacating their shared room? Lawruthian dashed off, and with a flap, she appeared on his shoulder. There was only a single thought in their minds as Lawruthian ran down the hallway.

" Be ," they spoke aloud.

Minerva kept quiet as Lawruthian moved. She could sense his internal thoughts were a mess, but she remained clear and focused. Unlike Lawruthian, Minerva understood the touch she held on the Aspect of Knowledge. She was a repository of the entire historical, scientific— everything —humanity of 0-000311-9713-7. All their research papers, knowledge no matter how hidden, was stored in her, able to access at any time Lawruthian requested information. As he was a mortal and could not possibly keep all this information truly in his mind, Minerva was born. A fact that she was understanding due to Vita's help and her inferences when studying the history present in the Library of Final Hope.

She kept her thoughts hidden from Lawruthian, as should they leak, then her blossoming plan would be ruined. He would never allow it, couldn't allow it.

If there was one thing Minerva understood about her partner… then it was his grandiose ideals of heroism. Lawruthian was one who preferred to sacrifice himself rather than others.

Why did he choose and pledge an oath to Edryan to lead from the front? Because his ideals were based on this truth, this core personality trait of his.

Minerva wasn't the same.

…

Minerva was selfish .

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There were so many better ways than sacrificing oneself to prove heroism—especially in a world of magic where the possibility of becoming a God existed.

While she closed her thoughts to him, his thoughts were open, nearly erratic from stress and worry. They passed through the grey, stone halls of Final Hope—passing the Garden where [Realm Guard] Vita and her twin stayed. Lawruthian's steps sounded like thunder as they echoed on the stone floor, ebony-gradient hair billowing behind him.

Together, they began to draw close to the library before they paused for a brief moment as they passed the blacksmith and home of [Realm Guard] Ignis. Lawruthian hesitated, then opened the doors. Minerva understood; although he held little hope, he still decided to check if she was present. Of the Realm Guards, only two had been pleasant, if not outright friendly to them.

The moment he opened the two doors, a fierce, burning voice spoke. "She ain't here boy, ya should be careful running through the hallways."

A frustrated growl emerged from Lawruthian—like a hound that once trusted humans only to be betrayed at every avenue. "Why has he taken her Ignis?"

It didn't make sense to Lawruthian… but… it made sense to Minerva.

"I don't understand, I've agreed to give him the knowledge he seeks. Why would he…," Lawruthian's voice trailed off, a despondent look on his face. He shook his head, turning to leave where he knew they'd be.

Ignis sighed, it was a heavy, lethargic thing. "Wait," he called… and the young man turned. Ignis approached them, the burning flame covered in armor of the same material. His gaze was gentle but firm.

"Do ya know why the Realm Guards are stationed here," Ignis questioned as he arrived before them.

Minerva held ideas, but she kept them to herself, however, as Ignis next spoke, she fully came to understand her thoughts had been correct.

Lawruthian gazed at the Realm Guard, slightly confused as he responded. Of course, he would be, he'd been working on another task separate from Minerva. "Isn't this just your home?"

Ignis scoffed and shook his head. "We are—were built for a singular purpose, ta Guard the Realm from threats both inside and out…"

Lawruthian's eyes narrowed, but Minerva's showed validation. He spoke their questions aloud. "What exactly are you guarding inside the Mortal Plane?"

"Ya're a smart lad, ya should know what we guard. After all, it was he who told us to guard him."

Those two sentences confirmed everything Minerva had previously assumed. She'd noticed Rasheed's obsession with her since the moment he laid his eyes on her. And, when they began to learn his story—to learn about the Genesis Realm before it came to be known as the Elrunian Continent… it opened up a worrying premise that Minerva was still putting together.

"Why," they questioned, but Lawruthian voiced—it was raw and unfiltered—not holding the bearings of a prince Lawruthian's teachers stove so hard to ingrain when educating him.

The [Realm Guard] sighed. It was old and tired. Its master… well, she was gone, faith unknown to him or his nine siblings. They kept themselves away from the saphens, choosing to serve their purpose in another manner—to keep [Madness] at bay.

Ignis handed Lawruthian a long-wrapped item, a gift for his upcoming trial—created by the master blacksmith himself—forged through the heat of a star. "Ya will need that in the Trial of Six. There is more ta the story of the Final Dragon than what ya've been told."

…

He paused for a moment before continuing, slightly hesitating on what to reveal to the young saphen and his perk. Instead, he phrased it as a question, attempting to help them understand another point of view when their reality was shattered. "What would ya do… if all ya've loved, all ya knew, was taken from ya? I mean everything but the clothes ya wear and the life ya breathe. Everything ya know and love was taken."

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What would you do?

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WHAT.

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WOULD.

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YOU.

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DO?

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Minerva knew—she could answer it immediately, and… she did not like the conclusion she emerged at. It was far too similar to… well… [End of Adventure]. That's why she had to change the narrative, to give her main body a chance—more than that. Minerva had to show there was more than one way to be a [Hero]. After all, she held the class too.

Lawruthian took a calming, deep breath and began to recover his composure. He was the Holy Prince of Edryan—Chosen of Madris—there was an intrinsic, sanctimonious behavior drilled into him that could not simply be forgotten even after a lapse in judgment.

Minerva knew the reason behind his brash actions; it was the same reason behind her own. They saved one woman they loved before—two consciousnesses born from one soul—they could do it again. They would do it again .

A protracted silence hung in the air, broken only by a hushed, nearly silent whisper that finally gave voice to a long-held sentiment. "Find a way to bring them back… no matter the cost. Death is not the end in the Prime Plane, followers of the Goddess, those who are worthy, go to the Promised Land. I would look for a way to bring them back."

Ignis gave the young man a follow-up, probing question… already understanding the mentality and thought process that would follow. He'd seen it in another. "…and if there was no way to bring them back? At least none that ya knew of? The years start passing by, tens, then hundreds, finally thousands, and because of what and who ya are, ya cannot die, ta join them in the embrace of death. How would you solve it," Ignis questioned.

Minerva held the answer immediately, but she continued to enclose her thoughts to her person. Lawruthian stayed silent but eventually answered. "I don't know, I've yet to live a century, let alone thousands of years."

This was where they differed; perhaps she held more of who they once were, with knowledge of another realm always tied to her. Ignis answered for her, understanding Lawruthian was only just emerging into the prime of his life. "Then I'll tell ya. Ya would go mad ."

…

He paused again, gathering his words before continuing. We—Realm Guards—are repurposed for another reason—ta guard the [Final Dragon] against fulfilling its goal." ‎ Lawruthian shook his head, not understanding. Minerva, however, was able to put connections together where seemingly none existed. She was a vast database of factual and fictional knowledge. Ideas that stemmed all of humanity were within her, beckoned forward at the slightest thought.

"Why not kill it? What is the point in letting Rasheed rot here, wasting away," Lawruthian questioned.

Ignis shook his head. The Realm Guard wasn't frustrated, understanding the nature of saphens, there was once a face that was arguably the same which voiced questions to him. He was patient with saphens; he always would be. "Do ya not pay attention to the words spoken ta ya boy? Did ya not pay attention when Rasheed explained the paths to ya? Aspects, Gods, Prestige—the first three creations of Realm Lord Elrunian—Gods, Titans, and Dragons? Each served a purpose in maintaining the realm. The Path of Aspects has all but been lost, as none but Rasheed understands how to walk it. To kill him would be ta kill the realm. Madness has consumed him, well hidden but there nonetheless. Be careful boy, that," Ignis pointed at the garment in his hands. "That will offer ya some protection to survive the trial. Whatever ya do, do not trade 'nothing of unequal value."

The Realm Guard drew back, signaling an end to their conversation. And, the perk and her body turned away. A sole thought occupying their mind.

Madness .

AN: Thought y'all was gonna get Carno's story real easy, huh? SIKE! xD

I tried something a bit different with Minerva, something closer to the true intentions of her character. She represents wisdom. Thus, I did my best to write in that manner when channeling her character. We got to see this from Lawruthian's POV… now it's Minerva's turn.

What do y'all think of Minerva/Lawruthian, if you don't mind me asking? Two consciousnesses, one soul.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.