Chapter 4755: Paths And Merit!

The Primordial Perfected Ginnu Lifeforms were unique in that even when Noah activated his Lens of a Civilization...

|ENTITY ANALYSIS: ALEXANDROS|

|Classification: Primordial Perfected Ginnu Lifeform|

|Rank: Polemarch (War Leader of Wisdom)|

|Depth Within Domain: THE Fundamental Depth|

|Weight Assessment: Approaches Half-Step Absolute parameters despite Depth limitations|

|Additional Information: Restricted. Higher clearance required.|

|ENTITY ANALYSIS: LEONIKOS|

|Classification: Primordial Perfected Ginnu Lifeform|

|Form: Leonine|

|Rank: Lochagos (Captain of Merit)|

|Depth Within Domain: THE Intermediate Depth|

|Additional Information: Restricted. Higher clearance required.|

|ENTITY ANALYSIS: OPHELIA|

|Classification: Primordial Perfected Ginnu Lifeform|

|Form: Serpentine|

|Rank: Lochagos (Captain of Merit)|

|Depth Within Domain: THE Intermediate Depth|

|Additional Information: Restricted. Higher clearance required.|

|ENTITY ANALYSIS: GEOMETROS|

|Classification: Primordial Perfected Ginnu Lifeform|

|Form: Abstract/Geometric|

|Rank: Lochagos (Captain of Merit)|

|Depth Within Domain: THE Intermediate Depth|

|Additional Information: Restricted. Higher clearance required.|

...!

He obtained the bare minimum information on these beings as they led them away from the shore.

The Lens of a Civilization could only pierce so far into the mysteries of Primordial Perfected entities. They were ancient beyond measure, and many things here were restricted!

Noah patted an excited Skoll who seemed ready to run off and explore everything at once.

The transformed Duke’s neon flames still burned despite being suppressed to Surface Depth. His tail wagged with enthusiasm. This place was new. This place was interesting. This place had so many things to smell and see!

Alexandros continued to speak as he led them up the beach.

"We have had different entrants across the Weavings of Existence since THE Great Change occurred."

His voice carried the weight of someone who had witnessed countless arrivals over eons.

"Some act up and need to be beaten down a little before they come to accept the terms of this place. Pride makes fools of even the powerful. They believe their external authority should translate into internal standing."

He glanced back at Noah with golden eyes that held knowing amusement.

"It does not."

His toga rippled as he walked, the fabric catching light from the golden rivers flowing across the sky.

"But even the dumbest ones eventually realize that this place is a paradise for power and immensity. Only those who have forged a Civilization may enter here, and those who do arrive for the first time get brought down to THE Surface Depth as this place gives you a chance to rebuild an unrivaled foundation for your Depth."

He paused to let those words settle.

"To learn about expressions of power perfected over eons. Power relating to the Oldest Paradox of Existence itself. And of course..."

His smile widened.

"Unfathomable treasures from THE Vault of Ginnungagap. Items that have not seen the light of Observable Existence since before THE Fallout. Knowledge that predates the modern understanding of Depth entirely."

The beach gradually transitioned into firmer ground as they ascended a gentle slope.

"But first, as any Hoplites get the chance to... you get to choose which path you follow."

And then the view opened up before them.

Massive archway gateways shimmered ahead!

Four of them, arranged in a grand semicircle at the crest of the hill. Each one was constructed from stone that seemed to have been carved by concepts rather than tools.

Pillars supported triangular pediments adorned with intricate reliefs depicting scenes of philosophical triumph. The architecture spoke of an era when beauty and function were inseparable, when every structure was built to last for eternities.

Each archway had a radiant road leading from it toward a barely discernible outline of glorious structures in the distance!

Similar to the limitation outside in The Wastes of THE Fallout, one could barely perceive anything less than a mile ahead in this domain. Many things in the distance were a haze of golden light that obscured details while hinting at grandeur beyond imagination.

But their focus was on the golden archways themselves!

They shone with brilliance that Noah, Ul’moreth, and Lumivara very much recognized!

The light of The First Tongue’s influence. The resonance of fundamental principles given architectural form.

Alexandros stopped before the four gateways and turned to face them fully.

"The choice for any Hoplites is the path they follow."

He gestured toward the first archway.

"There are the Chaosites. Followers of Chaos."

The archway shone with deep stellar obsidian!

Not mere black, but the darkness between stars given physical form. Within that darkness, points of light flickered and died and were born again in patterns that followed no discernible logic. The pillars seemed stable one moment and fluid the next. The pediment above depicted scenes of order crumbling into beautiful entropy.

"Their philosophy holds that order is an illusion. Structure is temporary. Only by embracing disorder can one understand the true nature of reality. They seek truth through the dissolution of false certainties."

Alexandros moved to the second archway.

"Then there are the Existentialists. Followers of Existence."

This archway shone with multicolored brilliance!

Every color that could be perceived and many that could not swirled across its surface in patterns that somehow remained coherent despite their complexity. The pillars pulsed with the rhythm of heartbeats, of breath, of the simple act of being. The pediment depicted scenes of entities simply existing in various forms, celebrating the fundamental fact of their presence.

"Their philosophy holds that being precedes essence. Existence itself is the highest value. All other considerations are secondary to the fundamental fact of existing. They seek truth through the pure experience of being."

He moved to the third archway.

"Then there are the Paradoxians. Followers of Paradox."

This archway shone with light that was simultaneously white, gold, and black!

The pillars appeared solid and ethereal at the same time. The pediment depicted scenes that showed both victory and defeat, creation and destruction, truth and lies, all occupying the same space without contradiction. Looking at it for too long made one’s perception twist in ways that were uncomfortable but strangely enlightening.

"Their philosophy holds that truth is found in contradiction. The highest understanding comes from holding two opposing ideas simultaneously and finding meaning in their tension. They seek truth through the embrace of impossibility."

Finally, he moved to the fourth archway.

"And lastly, there are the Glossarians. Followers of The First Tongue."

This archway shone with blue-gold radiance that Noah recognized intimately!

The pillars were inscribed with Phonemes that shifted and reformed with each passing moment. The pediment depicted scenes of words creating worlds, of language shaping reality, of speakers whose declarations became law. The very air around it hummed with linguistic authority.

"Their philosophy holds that language is the foundation of all reality. The First Tongue is not merely a tool but the very fabric from which Existence is woven. Mastery of language is mastery of everything. They seek truth through perfect expression."

Alexandros turned back to face them fully.

"So, which path will you follow?"

His golden eyes swept across Noah, Ul’moreth, Lumivara, and Skoll.

"Different paths, but here, everybody falls under the same rankings. All beings within THE Agora of Primordial Judgment are assigned a rank that determines the maximum Depth they can express. Ranks are earned through merit, not accumulated through external power. The Taxis of Merit!"

He began counting on his fingers.

"Merit is gained through contributing to society. Inventions, ideas, unique items, services that benefit the collective. Through winning formal debates in Dogma and Thesis contests. Through completing tasks assigned by higher-ranked officials. Through demonstrating philosophical insight that advances understanding. And through acts of valor in defense of the domain, though those are rare but highly valued."

His smile returned with warmth that seemed almost paternal.

"You all are currently Hoplites at THE Surface Depth. But you can increase in rank as you refine your foundations. Rise to become LOCHAGOS, the Captains of Merit, with a Depth Limitation of THE Intermediate Depth. Or even become a POLEMARCH like myself, a War Leader of Wisdom who is unrivaled at Fundamental Depth!"

...!

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