Part Twelve
Title: The Beginning of "External Movements"
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Opening Scene of the New Chapter
(Capital City: Babylon Francisco)
Minister of Education (on the capital's radio):
"Schools will reopen next week after months of closure. Public schools have been managed and rebuilt. There will be inspections around public schools nationwide, supported by the High Government. University classes also resume tomorrow. I wish you all success and happiness in your studies."
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Miansa, a 22-year-old university student with blonde hair and striking green eyes, admired by everyone for her beauty:
"Oh, it's time to go buy some clothes… what nonsense! They could've extended the break a little."
Sarina Jake, Miansa's mother, about 40 years old and beautiful herself, her looks mirrored in her daughter:
"Haven't you had enough of vacations?"
Miansa: "Oh my, here we go again, Mother—nonsense."
Sarina: "What did you just say?"
Miansa: "Oh, nothing."
Sarina: "Alright then."
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The Emperor's Palace
Emperor Heman:
"Begin the election mission. Master the tasks of production. Hurry with the experts and scientists."
Ministers:
"Understood, Your Majesty."
(Months earlier)
Heman:
"Open tourism, spread our industries across the world, attract travelers quickly. As for the scientists, after the elections we will begin something special. Also, establish a civil complaints center."
Minister of Tourism and Industry:
"Yes, sire."
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A month later:
Minister of Industry:
"Eighty-seven percent of the world now uses Sharqian imperial products."
Minister of Tourism, Latari Winson:
"In just one month, 20 million tourists visited the Sharqian Empire to experience its history, mountains, and breathtaking scenery…"
Radio New Tokyo:
"The Sharqian Empire is famed for its beauty—Mount Lamonsa is among the most stunning peaks in the world, its hills lush with crops and pure water. Once the people suffered, but since the return of Emperor Heman, the empire has risen as a global power, advancing in technology and food industries. Heman has launched a 'National Campaign for the Rehabilitation of the Homeland.' Political analysts from East New Tokyo declare: 'The empire has truly become Sharqia.'"
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Activist Laisni, opposing New Tokyo's government:
"We keep waiting for your news that means nothing! Why do you do nothing?!"
(Thinking)
"What if I try something that might help us… hmm…"
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A New Academic Year
The next day, the Sharqian Empire begins its new university year.
Miansa drives to campus in her black Porsche, wearing sunglasses and the empire's official school uniform.
Boys' uniform: black suit with a blue tie and the Sharqian flag.
Girls' uniform: skirt of any color with a white T-shirt bearing the Sharqian flag.
Sharqian flag: white on top, red on bottom, with the word Freedom in green at the center.
(The Ministry of Education provides uniforms free of charge as mandated by Sharqian law.)
Students (whispering as Miansa arrives):
"Look—has the moon itself come to our university?"
Miyoshg, a mischievous student:
"I can't believe my eyes."
Miansa: "Why are you staring at me?"
A boy (frozen, speechless).
Miansa slaps his face lightly.
"Hey you, can you hear me?"
Shino Lauto (blushing): "Oh… nothing, sorry."
Miansa: "Alright then, goodbye."
Shino: "Wait—you slapped me?"
The other students burst into laughter.
Miyoshg and his friends (teasing):
"Shouldn't you be wearing the boys' uniform, you shy little girl? Hahaha!"
Shino (teary-eyed):
"What nonsense! I'm a boy like the rest of you. Fine—no problem, go ahead, tears…"
Classes begin, and the campus is full of excitement.
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Emperor Heman's Visit
Emperor Heman visits Francisco University to greet the students.
University Directors:
"Let us all welcome and applaud the great Emperor Heman!"
Students applaud enthusiastically.
Heman:
"Thank you. I'd like to share a few words. Always stay patient, courageous, generous, forgiving, and respectful to everyone. Make friends, and don't let illusions destroy you. My father once said: 'A cub today, a lion of the nation tomorrow.'
And remember: 'Hard times are not for fantasies—if you meet them with respect, you gain admiration.'
So I ask you to always stand together with love and peace, to study and learn for the growth of our beloved nation. Thank you."
The students applaud again.
Heman notices Miansa among the crowd. What incredible beauty, he thinks.
Miansa: "Your Majesty, is it true you came from another country?"
Heman (smiling): "That doesn't matter."
Miansa: "Then, sire, what do you think will happen to our nation in the future?"
Heman (pleased by her question):
"I hope it becomes ever more beautiful and prosperous."
Miansa: "Thank you, sire."
Students whisper among themselves: "Did the Emperor just fall for Miansa?"
Heman: "It's time for me to go. Farewell."
Everyone: "Farewell, Your Majesty!"
Heman departs to visit other universities before returning to his palace.
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Memories and Visions
Back at the palace, Heman reflects.
Suddenly he recalls:
Karina: "Look, dear, a newborn!"
Karina: "He's beautiful. See his honey-colored eyes and slightly blond hair—he looks like me, maybe…"
Carmen (smiling): "No, he looks like me."
They both laugh joyfully.
Karina: "What should we name him?"
Carmen: "What if we name him Heman? That was the name a boy used to chant—'Heman, Heman, the way of strength.'"
Carmen: "Perfect. Welcome to life, Heman."
Baby Heman opens his eyes and murmurs: "Mom… Dad…?"
Heman shakes his head back in the present.
"Just a dream. No matter."
He muses:
"What if we add a History subject to the school curriculum and arrange field trips for students to explore the beautiful nature and streets of the Sharqian Empire? Perhaps I should start a program to showcase our nation's life and scenery to draw the world's attention—just as we aim to surpass the Roman Empire."
Growing drowsy, he admits to himself:
"Miansa is truly beautiful. She impressed me."
Then: "Enough thinking. Time to sleep."
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A Dark Dream
Heman dreams of a council shrouded in darkness.
Voices in the shadows:
"You must accept this decision—we want power to reign."
Mysterious Figure:
"We will not accept it. You will regret this. We will make the world kneel."
Supreme Leader:
"Get out of my sight!"
Golden-clad Stranger with red eyes:
"You will die, dog. We reject your rule."
Supreme Leader:
"I am your supreme commander. I will do what must be done. I am the Great Master!"
Another voice:
"Kill him!"
A man dies and turns to Heman:
"You must save the world. You are the eternal hope of the At-Ravest. Save the world from endless evil. Those I once empowered will aid you."
Heman jolts awake, sweating.
"What is this power? What is the At-Ravest? What just happened?"
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Dawn in the Sharqian Empire
President of the Santer Empire, Mins (sending a message to the High Council):
"We will begin the mission and present it to the Supreme Assembly. Soon we will start a new era for the world."
The High Organization:
"A meeting will soon be held in Holy Shimora to determine the time for granting lands."
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The Next Day at University
Miansa heads to campus singing:
"A new year is starting and I'll wear a pretty outfit, hee hee hey!"
Miansa (to students staring): "What's with you all?"
Students (grinning):
"World newspapers say the Emperor is smitten with you!"
Miansa (startled): "What? Let me see!"
She laughs.
"That's wonderful. I hope I see you again, my handsome Emperor."
Students mutter jealously: "If only we could hit her!"
Miansa (teasing): "Hey, don't be jealous—come here, let me kiss you all."
She playfully kisses them; everyone beams with delight.
The class bell rings, and the medical science lecture begins. Afterward, Miyoshg approaches Shino.
Miyoshg: "I'm sorry for what I said that day. Please forgive me."
Shino: "No problem. I forgive you."
Miyoshg: "Will you be my friend?"
Shino: "Sure, from today we're friends."
The two leave together for home.
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Toward the Year's End, 1938
The Sharqian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces:
"The Sharqian Empire is now the most advanced empire of 1938, second only to Rome. By 1939 we may surpass all others."
But news spreads: many across the world—especially in Tank and Holy Shimora—flee. The privileged "nobles" and "lords" there once lived in luxury. Among them is the infamous noble Kirzen, known for cruelty and arrogance, honey-colored eyes and black hair. He still buys and sells slaves from Tank (formerly Tanka, now Marowia).
The Colonial Council of Elders in Tank, founded in 1925, enforced harsh rule over the empire.
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An elder named Monses Lever, now 50, crippled by grief since the 1926 Santer oppression, remembers the Revolution of 1920 and mourns his wife, killed in the 1920 protests, and his children lost after joining the 1922 uprising.
"I wish for death rather than life in this place. Oh, if only the old days would return," he laments.
He recalls his beloved wife Camille Larva, a brave supporter of Stornum Honem's government and a key figure in the former rise of the Tank Empire. She was 34 when killed by Santer forces while defending protesters.
Their four children:
Morter, 17, black hair and eyes, a high-schooler.
Rana, 15, beautiful, black-haired middle-schooler.
Laraki, 12, blond hair, green eyes, exceptionally intelligent—teachers predict he'll become a great scientist.
Alyssa, 6, sweet, with black hair and honey-colored eyes.
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Flashback: The 1920 Revolution
In early March 1920, over 1.5 million protesters rose under leader Shaalan Munser .
The great poet-orator Jex of James proclaimed:
"How can we accept these devils ruling our land? Do we not have the right to live? If we do not stand, we will lose our lives and our brave forces. Are you with me?"
Thorin: "Absolutely!"
Jex: "I can't hear you—louder!"
Revolutionaries: "Yes, yes!"
"We stand on the rope of history—no tyrants shall rule us! If we remain under oppressors, we will never triumph. Raise your voices against the corrupt! No, no to tyrants!"
Alarmed, Emperor Mink Jarles of the Santer Empire ordered a massive army armed with unknown, deadly chemical weapons.
On March 2, as protesters reached the city center, General Arthur and Air Officer Paul plotted to divide and crush them.
At 10:00 a.m., Santer forces surrounded them.
General Arthur commanded:
"Open fire—scatter them!"
Three hundred thousand were killed; seven hundred thousand fled home.
A small group of twenty escaped to a supposed safe haven, only to be lured into a deadly trap.
General Arthur: "Prepare. One… two… launch the missile!"
A chemical bomb struck, killing them all. The Santer Empire concealed the massacre; no global organization recorded the atrocity. Survivors lived under the shadow of oppression, waiting for the day heaven's gates would open.
General Kirzen continued to trade and enslave Tank's people, killing any who resisted.
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The Sharqian Empire welcomed refugees from Holy Shimora and Tank, planning liberation after Heman's upcoming elections.
Emperor Heman to the Foreign Ministry:
"Respect and protect everyone's rights. Welcome all immigrants; their skills will help us. We are all human—skin color does not matter. Focus only on developing our nation. Do not be deceived by the images and words of the press."
Roman Emperor (upon hearing this):
"Heman embodies not only courage but humility and the depth of Sharqian history. The great capital Babylon is not just a city but a legacy. I hope the Sharqian people never lose such a leader."
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Meanwhile, in the Santer Empire:
President Mins (to General Kirzen):
"The Sharqian Empire seeks a meeting with you. Be ready to learn their intentions."
Kirzen:
"Very well. I will await them in my palace in Tank."
Mins:
"Farewell."
Kirzen:
"Until we meet again."
But he privately scoffs:
"What could the Sharqian Empire possibly want from me? It doesn't matter."
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That night, Heman dreams once more. Darkness pounds like war drums.
A terrifying figure clad in black rushes toward him, voice echoing:
"Welcome, hope of the At-Ravest family."
Heman wakes abruptly, shaken.
"What is happening to me?"
End of Part Twelve