Chapter Eight: Principles of Governing the Nation

When Mardonis had just arrived at the High Council, news came that the temple had been attacked. Otalis immediately brought Mardonis to join the council’s emergency meeting, and together they descended into the subterranean shelters.

Only when word finally returned that the temple had been destroyed, the sacred relic stolen by the Fanged King, but all others were unharmed, did Otalis and the rest breathe a long sigh of relief and return to the council chamber.

“Mardonis, you were the last to leave the temple. Did you notice anything unusual?” Otalis turned to ask Mardonis, who sat beside him. The attack had been both sudden and suspiciously well-timed, and he strongly suspected the Fanged King had been lurking nearby.

“Honored Consul, upon receiving your message, I immediately took my leave of the High Preserver. Along the way, I noticed nothing amiss.” Mardonis carefully recalled his memories and shared them with those present. After reviewing them, all shook their heads—nothing stood out.

“Consul, I suspect the Fanged King used some arcane art to spy upon us,” one elder ventured.

“That is unlikely,” Otalis replied, “for the battle records from the scene show that if the Fanged King had employed such arts, the High Preserver would not have failed to detect it.”

“Consul, perhaps the Fanged King sent an agent to infiltrate our ranks,” another elder proposed.

“That too is not possible,” Otalis countered. “With the Link of Khala binding us, no one could have slipped in unnoticed among our people.”

“Consul, I suspect the Fanged King stole the memories of one of our councilors,” suggested an elder who had survived the War of Eternities.

“That concern is outdated,” Otalis said. “We are no longer as we once were. Under Khala’s protection, the Fanged King cannot again consume our souls and memories.”

…

“Consul, I believe the Fanged King may have used the legendary Monitor,” suggested an elder who worked in relic excavation.

“Oh? The Monitor?” Otalis recalled descriptions of such devices from ancient memory. “It is entirely possible. The Protoss Empire has only just been founded and is still rebuilding. Our technological prowess has not yet returned to its former heights. If the Fanged King once absorbed the memories of the Imperial Academy, it would explain how he could operate that ancient starship.”

Otalis sighed softly. “How ironic that we have forgotten our own science, yet our enemy turns our former glory against us. What a bitter jest.”

At that moment, Adelaide hurried in from the doorway and reported to Otalis, “Consul, honored councilors, Executor Aton has arrived.”

“Please show in Executor Aton,” Otalis instructed. Soon, guided by Adelaide, Aton entered the council chamber. After Adelaide took his leave, Aton greeted those present and took his seat.

“Aton, you have arrived just in time. Elder Karim has just reminded us that the Fanged King may well have used a Monitor from the era of the Empire of Light to spy on us. I ask that you eliminate this hidden threat as swiftly as possible.” Otalis transferred the memory of the preceding discussion to Aton and instructed him to dispatch Templar to investigate.

“At your command, Consul. In fact, I have come precisely on account of these ancient technological artifacts.” Aton bowed, then explained his purpose.

“The Fanged King’s two sudden strikes—one that destroyed the Empire of Light, and another that stole the Khaydarin Relic—have taught us not to grow complacent. History shows that both technology and ascension must be pursued together. Our enemy exploits any weakness, and will always strike when we are at our frailest.” Aton shared his earlier deliberations with Rohana and the Tal’darim, proposing a policy of advancing science and cultivation in tandem.

“You speak truly, Aton,” Otalis agreed after receiving Aton’s memories. “When our technology was advanced but our powers were meager, the Fanged King overwhelmed us with might. When our powers grew but our technology lagged, he used science to escape unscathed. In all this, our pride is the thread that binds our failings. We must cultivate both science and psionics, but also ever maintain vigilance and humility. Never again shall the Protoss Empire fall into darkness and corruption!”

Thus, through further debate, the path for the Empire was set: to seize both cultivation and technology. A Templar Archive was established to train and supervise the Templar, and to further perfect the Way of Khala. An Imperial Engineering Institute was founded, gathering those devoted to science, granting them the title of Khalai—equal in status to the Templar—and encouraging research, even granting the Khalai seats on the High Council.

With the High Council’s latest decrees, the Empire began to stir. Those who loved battle and ascension chose the Templar’s path, while those enamored of engineering and science became Khalai. Thus, the Empire strode forth on two legs, forging its own unique destiny.

Yet there came a small interlude: after issuing these decrees, the Templar Archive raised a question—how should psionic levels be defined? What seemed a simple matter at first became less so upon reflection.

Heated debates quickly arose. Some argued that the first level should match a newborn Protoss’s strength, but this was soon challenged, as every infant’s power varied. The debate caught the High Council’s attention, but even after they consulted the High Preserver, no definitive answer emerged. The question swept across society, with everyone certain their view was right—Khala itself offered no resolution.

To address this seemingly simple yet crucial issue, the Rohana sisters prayed to Kass in the rebuilt temple, seeking divine guidance. Upon receiving their plea, Sava’Saein, seated on his divine throne, was surprised to find his own powers subtly growing. Realizing that the outcome of this debate would affect his own strength, and sensing its deeper significance, he sought out Aiur.

When Aiur learned the whole story, he shook his head and chuckled. Establishing a basic unit for psionic power was indeed akin to defining a standard physical measure, and would affect Kass, as god of order. Aiur therefore personally forged two unchanging Khaydarin crystals and bestowed them upon Rohana. The larger would assess a lifeform’s psionic level; the smaller contained the power of the first psionic tier.

By divine decree, psionic strength was divided into twelve levels; anything above twelfth was deemed demigod. A “demigod” is a being on the threshold of divinity—a supreme existence within the mortal universe, one step from ascension. Such beings begin to immortalize their souls; even the death of the body cannot banish them from existence.

Thus, the classification of psionic levels became clear and unambiguous. Many were eager to test their own strength. The Imperial Academy, too, showed great interest in this mechanism, but with current technology, could glean little beyond studying nuclear reactions inherited from the Empire of Light.

After a period of frenzied, empire-wide testing, the strongest among the Protoss were revealed: the Rohana sisters, as High Preservers, each attained psionic level seven, with Rohana herself nearing eight. Next were Aton and the Tal’darim, both at advanced level six. Most High Council elders were level five. Otalis, for all his rank, was only level four—clearly, his duties had hampered his cultivation. Ordinary Templar ranked at level three or four, and, to everyone’s surprise, the Khalai also averaged level four. Evidently, the pursuit of technology did not hinder psionic growth, prompting many wavering Protoss to join the Khalai ranks.

Testing one’s psionic level thus became a rite of passage. Upon coming of age, young Protoss would choose their path: Templar, Khalai, or freelancer. Notably, the Empire’s artists and writers were also considered Templar, though unskilled in close combat.

The Year of Khala, Year One: The Protoss Empire is founded. In the same year, the sacred relic is stolen.
Year 20: The Imperial Engineering Institute invents the detection satellite and begins a worldwide search for the Fanged King, with no results.
Year 80: The Institute develops a manned rocket. The rocket crashes on re-entry, but the astronaut teleports to safety in time. The manned spacecraft program is shelved.
Year 100: Average psionic level of the Empire’s population reaches six; the High Preservers reach level nine.
Year 120: The Institute restarts the manned program, successfully landing on Aiur’s moon, Shaloc. The astronaut, possessing level seven power, freely explores the surface; no sign of the Fanged King is found.
Year 140: Otalis nominates Mardonis as Consul and enters seclusion, vowing not to emerge before reaching level nine.
Year 150: The Institute develops a nuclear-powered starship and confirms that the Fanged King piloted such a vessel. They surmise he crashed from lack of power, but renewed global searches reveal nothing.
Year 200: The Empire’s average psionic level rises to eight; the High Preservers reach level twelve. Rohana ascends to demigod status. Otalis emerges briefly from seclusion, then re-enters, swearing not to leave until he too becomes a demigod.
Year 210: The Institute perfects the nuclear starship, now powered by fusion reactors and able to reach other planets, but the inability to surpass light speed leads to postponement.
Year 250: The Institute invents a faster-than-light engine, converting fusion energy into psionic power to breach the limits of space and time. Due to energy constraints, interstellar travel remains limited to the solar system. The High Council approves the exploration and colonization plan. Shantira and Orlana, in their first attempts at ascension, fail to become demigods.
Year 300: The solar system is fully explored with no trace of the Fanged King. The Protoss turn their gaze to the endless stars. That same year, Shantira and Orlana succeed in becoming demigods, and Aton and the Tal’darim reach psionic level twelve.