Colossus By Choice: B1V7 Side Story - The Lonely Longing

[Book 1 Verse 7 – B1V7]
[Side Story]

“The Lonely Longing” – Narrated by Pianoto

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The earliest story I recall from when I myself was but a youngling fresh out of the egg was the story of how my people, the Gamerans, came to be. Seeing as how this tale has been passed down from generation to generation to all younglings since our inception, even by those who don’t pledge citizenship with the main governing body on Manakey, you can understand why I’d want to make sure I get it right for my own clutch.

(Taum): I’ve actually only heard snippets of this one, but I’d like to hear the whole thing properly.

Good, because there’s a lot to tell. Luckily, even newly hatched Gamerans have plenty of patience, so I just have to worry about making it as good as possible.

It all began on the evening after the almighty one, Godzilla, slew the skull king, he who shall not be remembered.

(Taum): Nobody knows who the skull king was, right? Not even what kind of Titan he was exactly?

That’s right. It’s as if the warrior goddess herself erased all memory of the upstart god for his crimes. But it was for good reason, as he was surely a terrible beast that even the creatures of Grimm and Hell fear. Godzilla is a fair and just ruler who freely shared knowledge to all of Mothra’s creations, so the censorship of any knowledge about this Titan must have meant he was too heinous and evil for mortal minds to behold. And you’re well aware of Gamera, the guardian of the universe and the shield that protects all of existence with his mighty shell.

Unlike the skull king, Humanity and the great Godzilla left behind visages and texts detailing the appearance and nature of the turtle Titan. But we Gamerans know better than anyone else. For you see, we are the direct descendants of Gamera himself, his children.

(Skrill): Pretty egotistical to think you’re descended from a god. We’re all clay moulded by Mothra.

Not us Gamerans. As the legends tell us, Gamera approached Godzilla after the skull king was defeated. The war with the evil Titan and his armies had left the shell around existence with new perspective on his life. He no longer wanted to be alone in the universe. He wanted to have a family to share his knowledge with, to nurture into something beautiful.

I suppose we’re quite alike in that regard. After what happened with my first family, I felt that same kind of loneliness. I’m so very thankful that I found Organala.

Sorry about that. I’m getting sentimental.

(Yun-Tao): It’s fine. I… I understand the fear of being alone. Please do continue.

Alright, then. Where was I—Ah yes! Godzilla sympathized with Gamera’s plight and allowed him to create a people in his own image, separate from the creations of the goddess of peace. In all but his immense size and godly might, we were identical. His tusks were our tusks, his shell our shells, and his wisdom our wisdom. Because of our unique creation, the turtle Titan took it upon himself to raise us personally, educate us on how to live and prosper. It was he who taught us the virtues of patience and seeking reconciliation with others who wronged us.

He saw the ugliness of war, of the evils of the skull king, and sought to ensure that his children would only turn to war as a solution in the most extreme circumstances where all other diplomatic solutions would fail. This is not unlike Mothra’s own teachings to the rest of creation, though she had a decidedly lesser focus on taking time to prepare for all scenarios. Gamera also taught us that, even though war was only a last resort, we should always be fully prepared for it. In that regard, the guardian of the universe gave us the means to defend ourselves should it ever come to that and made us into some of the universe’s greatest warriors, rare as it might be for us to fight.

(Skrill): But you do still have rogues and criminals, right? Those who oppose your people’s main governing body?

Of course. Every species has its sour elements. But even our lawbreakers still adhere to the principles of peace and diplomacy that the shelled guardian instilled upon in some capacity. In our earliest days under the tutelage of Gamera the brave, there were those who saw fit to voice their displeasure with their lot in life.  Rather than punish them for not following the codes he had taught us, he instead gave them a chance to give their perspectives and opinions, to argue and debate for why they didn’t appreciate our god fully. And so, he listened intently and waited, just as he had instructed us to do.

And once he had heard all that the dissenters had to say, he responded with his experiences and memories, pouring out his heart about his sadness and renewed happiness when he was granted the privilege of creating and raising a new people that he was sole caretaker for. The dissenters were moved beyond words and decided that perhaps their lot wasn’t so bad. However, their exchange didn’t end there. No, see, Gamera delivered another lesson on that fateful day eons ago.

He encouraged us to always speak up, to voice our concerns and criticisms alongside our praise and joy. He ensured that we were always honest and forthcoming, always seeking to prevent conflict even if we ultimately had differing perspectives from one another. On that fateful day, the brave Titan decreed that we Gamerans would strive to support each other and respect all decisions, even if they ultimately do lead to individuals and groups undertaking a criminal lifestyle. The very traits of diplomacy and resolving conflict peacefully run through our very veins, even those who would turn to a life of heinous activity.

With this decree, the lessons that he imparted upon us were finished. He had nothing more to teach us himself, for his final wish was for us to discover the truths of existence for ourselves, to brave the universe and attempt to amend conflicts the only way we knew how. Gamera the brave brought us to a system that was calm and peaceful, one where we would prosper and grow into a people that would make him proud.

He settled by the sun and retreated into his shell, becoming the world of Manakey where the Gameran species built the foundations of our empire.

To this very day, he slumbers, even as the passage of time has covered him in layers of rock and metal to such a degree that his original form is no longer visible.