An Illusion of Will

Chapter 38: The Tonovian Empire

There lay a vast underground cave system that extended for kilometers. Delving even deeper, one would discover an immense cavern—a colossal pocket hidden from the reach of sunlight. Despite its depth, water managed to find its way, freezing into ice formations. 

At over 16 kilometers beneath the surface, the temperature remained frigid, with any semblance of warmth emanating from geologic activities, such as magma chambers. Within this dark, cold, and humid environment, an extraordinary race of humans resided, measuring an average height of 8-9 feet. 

These inhabitants had ingeniously carved their dwellings into the cavern walls, creating a world within the pocket. To illuminate their surroundings, they harnessed the radiance of crystals, utilizing an artificial light akin to triboluminescence.

In one of the highest chambers of a meticulously carved stone dwelling, there stood a towering figure, measuring an impressive 10 feet in height. His flowing gray hair cascaded down to his waist, matching the length of his well-groomed beard. His eyebrows, extended past his eyes, framing a pair of light brown eyes that emitted a youthful glow despite his advanced age. Standing near a window, he gazed outwards, contemplating the future with a mix of wisdom and concern.

"Oh, revered Father of fathers," spoke an 8-foot man with white hair and pale blue skin, addressing the taller, elder individual in a language unfamiliar to the surface world. "What shall we do if those Hellish monstrosities appear once more? Just five of them decimated hundreds of our brethren. I understand that our people are enduring a separate calamity hence why our mightiest warriors remain entwined with the embrace of the earth. However, witnessing the terrifying capabilities of those beasts, I believe it would be prudent to awaken our most knowledgeable warriors and impart their wisdom to our present brethren."

The one referred to as Father of fathers contemplated, deep in thought, weighed the words of one of his people brightest youths, the concerns etched upon his aged countenance.

Standing next to the leader, there was another male, towering at around 10.5 feet in height, surpassing even the impressive stature of the elder figure. His hair, as white as snow, cascaded down his broad shoulders, contrasting with his darker blue skin tone. His muscular build hinted at immense strength and power, making him a formidable presence within the chamber.

A couple kilometers away in the same pocket was a group of men and women all around 8 feet tall, most had white hair, some gray and a few around 5 feet with hair as white as snow. As the women shed tears, they walked towards several mounts scattered across the ground, each one resembling the giant physique of their people.

In this solemn gathering, the group of men and women, adorned in simple garments, mourned the loss of their loved ones. The tears streaming down their faces mixed with the red soil as they carefully dug into the earth, revealing the remains of their departed family members. Each individual took part in this ritual, collecting the soil that had absorbed the essence of their fallen kin.

Among them, the women who had children passed the bag of soil, containing the remains, to the eldest member present, signifying the passing of the ancestral lineage. It was a poignant tradition deeply ingrained in their culture, a way to honor and remember those who had departed from their earthly existence.

However, it was a bittersweet moment, for many of the women had no children to continue this ancestral connection. Their sorrow was palpable, a poignant reminder of the calamity that had fallen upon them.

In this underground world, their diet primarily consisted of stones and rocks, supplemented sporadically by scorpion-like crustaceans or shrimp. With no insects to decompose the bodies, the earth served as a natural resting place, consuming the remains and allowing life to find balance in its own unique way.