Universal Parallels: The Earth. Marina Marli

      ISBN 978-5-0065-7502-8

      Created with Ridero smart publishing system

      Universal Parallels: The Earth

      A shooting star has always been a harbinger…

      From the author

      All that we see are the edges. The edges of reality and illusion. These worlds are always nearby. The choice of where we want to exist is always up to us! On which side of the realm?

      So choose!

      Prologue

      There is always a ray of light to be found, even in a world full of darkness. No matter how ominously the storm clouds gather, the light will always find a way. Just as tree saplings always manage to grow and break through the toughest and inhospitable soil.

      The inhabitants of other worlds left the Earth long ago, leaving its inhabitants to deal with what they had done on their own. People were divided, and constant battles mowed down the population no worse than diseases and crop failures. This lasted for centuries, until people almost exterminated each other. Only the strongest remained alive, who, despite everything continued to fight for power. They tried to recapture the remnants of habitable lands, and enslave the defeated. Over time the number of people decreased so much that it seemed that there was not only no one to fight, but also no one to save. Then the leaders, having gathered the survivors, left their usual habitats and retired to different corners of the vast lands.

      People were divided into three clans. The ones known as the people of the earth inhabited the plains that could still support human life and built defensive walls and ramparts creating fortified settlements. Others went into caves and mountain ranges, where they built stone impregnable fortresses. They called themselves the Mountain Clan. The people who went to the water expanses and built a floating settlement there called themselves the Water Clan.

      Ideologies and creeds disappeared as did the society that was previously huge and united. People were divided not only by constant power struggles but by the planet itself. Now everyone was on their own and against everyone else.

      Seeing what was happening on earth, the Creators did not intervene. Long have they watched over the people with an all-seeing gaze from the distance: endless human conflict, acts of vengeance and vindictiveness passed on through generations, constant bloodshed, and the merciless hate of humans.

      So much water under the bridge… The cause of the conflict has long been forgotten. The tangle of misunderstandings and grievances was too deep. People were not able to come to a resolution and no longer had the strength or willingness to try again. Everyone tried to save what was still possible.

      And even though people took a temporary pause of several decades, the confrontation continued anyway. But only until they saw a blinding light, lighting up the silent night sky. This was a sign. A sign sent from the creators up above. They did not want the humans to disappear completely, despite the limitless evil. The Creators only wanted to save humanity and sent to the earth a wondrous maiden, made in the image of human, with the ray of light. She was endowed with knowledge of the earth – or how it was before creation, knowledge of other worlds so she would know that she is not alone in this universe. She was also granted immortality along with powers of healing and vision. However, she was denied the ability to side with or cause harm to anyone so she could not be manipulated by power hungry individuals. The maiden was made to be impartial and unbiased in her judgements. She should not have to make a choice because her mission was to help and unite rules out of taking sides or causing harm. Her destiny was to change the course of history and give the remaining humans a second chance at gaining a new understanding and rebirth.

      CHAPTER 1

      The dark forest. The silence. Not a sound. Deva opened her eyes and saw nothing in front of her but an abyss of dark sky studded with billions of stars. She lay on the ground, barely breathing, and stared into the very depth of the firmament. She was trying to find the worlds she knew: the world of Preservers, the world of Creators, the world of Defenders. But in vain. Above her, an endless dome hung silently, covered which scattered sparks, shimmering like pearls. A fascinating, wonderful world! And she was lucky enough to observe this splendor.

      She couldn’t believe that people had forgotten about such indescribable beauties given to them many thousands of years ago. It was hard to believe that they preferred bloody battles.

      She looked deep into the forest, listening to the deafening silence. There was not a single sound around. Deva frowned, trying to figure out how this was possible.

      «How strange! Why is it so quiet here? Is nature really dying? Or is she crouching for the time of my coming? Not a breath of wind, not a creak of a branch, not a chirp of birds – nothing,» just arrived to this world maiden was surprised. «I need to get up. But where do I have to go?» The questions kept multiplying in her head. «People are separated and divided. There are constant wars between them. The Earth Clan, the Mountain Clan, the Water Clan… Who of them is still capable of compassion? There are only three clans left from a huge and previously united people. They are dying out. They need help. It is necessary to stop this endless hostility and reconcile them. But who should I start with?»

      Deva smoothly spread her arms and felt the coolness of the night forest. The soft moss that became her feather bed could lull any traveler who accidentally lay down on it. She dug her fingers into it and felt the damp earth under it, into which numerous roots clung.

      After laying down for a while, enjoying the silence and coolness of the forest, she sat up. Deva took a long look around the place where she found herself. The forest, silence and utter darkness. She peered into the darkness, as if trying to find something in it. Something long ago lost, but still existing, not forgotten, not lost in the endless labyrinths of the memory of time.

      She felt the gloom pressing down on her. It was as if it was deliberately pinning her to the ground, forcing her to lower her head in order to grieve together. Closing her eyes and obeying this unspoken demand, Deva was sad about all the vain losses that this once fertile and gracious land had meekly buried in itself.

      Taking a deep breath, she got to her feet and looked at her robes. The only light here was her own. The remnants of the beam emanated with a smooth and soft glow from the fabric of the cloak. Raising her head and looking around, Deva noticed the shadows that quickly and silently moved behind the trees. She peered at their rapid movements, trying to catch a glimpse of at least one and figure out who they belonged to.

      «Don’t be afraid of me. Come out. I won’t hurt you,» she said timidly into the silence of the forest trees, hoping that unknown creatures would have a conversation with her.

      But the answer was silence: the Shadows moved absolutely soundlessly, as if they didn’t notice her presence. As if they didn’t hear her call.

      After only a few moments, but it seemed to her that this game lasted much longer, Deva thought that they began to whisper.

      «Navi1!» she gasped, finally realizing who these dark silhouettes were.

      Hearing what suddenly burst from the lips of Deva, the Shadows froze. And time itself seemed to stop at the moment when their common name sounded. It’s like they’ve been remembered. As if someone else needed them. As if their deaths were not an empty sound.

      They stirred and whispered again. Sometimes smoothly and quietly, sometimes violently and loudly. Deva listened to their voices, which seemed to come from the distant past. She couldn’t make out the words, but she could feel their general perplexity. None of the people had ever seen or heard them before. The Shadows were confused.

      What they didn’t feel was fear. They knew that their human journey was over long ago. Now they were just faceless ghosts and wandered restless among the trees of this forest, through