And Logic said, “We must leave.”
And Verity said, “It is the best option for our people.”
And Thinker said, “What of the mortals?”
And Pathfinder said, “They must learn to find their way without us.”
And Empathy said, “They will die.”
And Tradition said, “To defend them would require that we reveal ourselves.”
And Defender said, “Then we must do so.”
And War said, “Our enemies would surely find us.”
And Time said, “Our time here is done.”
And it was decreed that the Time of Dealing with Matter was over.
And Maker said, “No.”
**
Once upon a time there was a race of namegivers who learned many things. This did not make them particularly wise or even very smart – they just knew a lot of things. One new thing they learned was how to leave their mortal bodies and become pure energy. This was very exciting. Many of these namegivers used fancy words like “evolution” and “natural progress.” A few used words like “abomination” and “unnatural.” But mostly the namegivers used words like “cool.” So it was that the race of very learned namegivers ceased mortality.
The new energy things found out that they didn’t know as much as they thought they had and that there were some VERY BAD THINGS out and about. This was not very exciting. Many of the new energy things were dissipated by the VERY BAD THINGS. This was generally upsetting. Some of the new energy things ran away. Some decided to take back mortal form. Some decided to ignore the problem. And some decided to fight.
There were some old energy beings. They didn’t help the new ones much.
The new energy things were very good at learning new things. They learned that a) the old energy beings were bastards b) taking back mortal form didn’t work very well c) running away didn’t work very well d) ignoring the problem worked least of all and e) there were a few new energy things that were REALLY GOOD at learning about new weapons.
Eventually the new energy things were not so new but they remembered about the old energy being bastards and decided not to be like them. The not so new energy beings decided to help. They were very sad when they discovered that there was no one around to help. Except the mortals. The not so new energy things learned that they REALLY LIKED helping the mortals.
And so they taught the mortals to love learning and discovering. The mortals got very good at discovering new things. They even discovered their very own VERY BAD THING.
It was at this time that the not so very new energy beings learned that they could leave behind their energy bodies and become pure something-else-we’re-not-quite-sure-but- it’s-very-exciting. A few mortals pointed out that it was also convenient but they were generally ignored.
**
And Maker said, “I will not go. It is not right.”
And Ethics said, “It is not to you to learn about right and wrong. We have decided.”
And Empathy said, “I will not go. It is not right.”
And Defender said, “I will not go. It is not right.”
And Verity said, “I will not go. Morality is transitional.”
And I’m-Not-Stupid-Enough-to-Learn-Only-ONE-Thing said, “YOU might be done with the Time of Matter but I’M not. And Ethics is a MORON; I wouldn’t trust ANYTHING it has to say, it’s been hanging out with PHILOSOPHY. And anybody who chooses the name DECIDER should just be shot on principle --”
**
And the five who would not go were cast down from the heavens. It was generally agreed that this was more dramatic if a bit more resource consuming to manage.
**
And Pragmatism said, “They cannot stay behind. They can reveal too much.”
And Trouble said, “I’ve got this really interesting idea.”
**
Once upon a time there were some really obnoxious immortals that took great joy in interfering and meddling with our people. Once the Dark discovered us, the immortals showed their true value and ran away. Except five. They say there were five. They say that when the Dark came, they fought. They battled ships and armies and fearsome constructs. They destroyed armadas and rescued armies. They held the gate for days and days while our people escaped.
And then those bastard immortals meddled again. One last, cruel act before finally abandoning this plane of existence.
Our five. The five who did not abandon us were lost to us.
We know what happened. I was with Defender when the Immortals struck. The immortal that lead them called itself Necessity. They changed Defender – made him mortal. Turned him into a child, removed his powers, abilities…memory. Nothing left but a frightened human child.
I heard later that Empathy was locked in battle with the enemy when the change came and was struck down.
Of the other three, we don’t know. We don’t know. They saved hundreds, thousands of us.
I raised Defender as my own. I taught him everything of who he was. I taught him of the betrayal of his people and the bravery of his companions. He is yet true to his name and will serve his people well.
Of the thousands who fled, what can I say? The small people turned insular and avowed all help from the other races. I’ve heard rumors that they have found their own planet and have locked themselves away. I’ve heard rumors that some broke away and have become nomadic, wandering from planet to planet. I don’t know.
I have not heard anything of the elves.
The humans scattered. But we remain connected. So carefully connected. We will have back our home.