I Just Want To Be Average

Pratt obviously enjoyed the feeling very much. Taking the stage in front of an audience, big or small. Even though it was just the three of us, we did make for an audience. And we certainly pleased Pratt. He had a small smile, that couldn't have been any bigger, as he began.

"The temple of the heavenly war wasn't the first discovery by accident. At least that's my opinion. We're not very clear yet on the boundaries of the Faery civilisation. We started with the temple. And went further in all directions. Northeast of the temple we found what could have once been a city. Southwest of the temple, there was nothing. The temple could very well be on the boundary. That was one of the earliest things we established."

He needed a break at this point. I couldn't ascertain exactly why. Wasn't because he needed to search for the words. All of it was deeply etched into his memory, so there was no confusion. As he continued, I threw all doubts out of my head.

"The next important factor, when considering the temple, is Lycar. We aren't entirely sure yet, about the exact identity of Lycar, but there are several mentions across the city. The most intriguing being Lycar's involvement with the city planning along with the mention of Lycar in the temple. The facts point to the possibility of Lycar being the planner for the temple too. Or otherwise, being involved in some position in the building of the temple. Professor Rancor's team has taken overall ownership over the research into Lycar."

Dia, who was until then passively listening, pulled out her notebook. Pratt gave her a smile, waiting until she was ready before continuing.

"Now, coming to what interests us, Lycar's story is written entirely in the long arc. Which means, we can read it in full. Do you want to read by yourself, or hear it one's voice? I know Lulu's choice. That leaves Dean."

What about Dia, I meant to ask as I looked at her questioningly. She returned my gaze with a tiny smile, and leaned her head toward Pratt. Oh, I gasped, with understanding. My face must have lit up, because I saw their eyes open wide.

"Let's just continue with your voice," I answered.

The issue was settled. Pratt nodded. And continued.

"As for the exact motivations, no one is sure. It did have a staunch supporter in Lycar. No home was allowed within a vayu. No one was allowed to be taller within 3 vayu. More than merely Lycar's suggestion, it was his design for the city. The title of the planner of the city afforded him the position to make it the design of the city for itself. Lycar's devotion earns him the place here."

"Interesting," Dia murmured, still buried in her notebook.

"What is?" Lulu asked.

She wasn't exactly one of us. Her question reminded us of that, again. Dia accepted the responsibility of explaining.

"We chose to call it the temple, for our ease. But our choice is superseded by what it calls itself. Do you understand?"

Lulu nodded. Dia continued.

"Lycar's story is on the wall of the temple. In long arc. You know what the long arc is? It's an elemental rune, which our dear Vhinn deciphered with Catarina. Which is why we had the complete story so easily and quickly. Anyway, Lycar's story wasn't exactly what we were expecting. Very different from the other stories. It's not a story as much as it is an honourable mention. Like some sort of award given to someone who made a considerable contribution. Even more importantly, the temple is only mentioned as 'it' and 'here'. If it is deliberate, then the temple might actually be much more than we realised. If not, it might be so natural to them that the temple might have a deep and large position in their lives. Whichever it is, it is very interesting."

"So, that leaves us with a question, and an additional clue that no one else might have in hand. The temple of Pervue."

"That's right," Dia said, looking at me.

That was my cue.

"The temple of Pervue held an elevated position even among other temples of the Vikari. One, because it was the temple of Pervue. Pervue was the god of knowledge. To the Vikari, knowledge had the greatest importance, which is evident even in their runes. Two, it was the only temple of its kind, even among the exceptions. The central idea of Vikari gods was that they were formless and couldn't be offered worship in a closed space between walls. Everything that the temple of Pervue was. How could the god of knowledge be held hostage in a small space like the temple? How could so many students visit every year? And, why? Three, most curiously, why was the temple always referred to as pilgrimage? In Vikari, visiting a temple is simple referred to as paying respect and homage to the gods. Pilgrimage is a term only used loosely, and only for the exceptions, the temples that were different. Even more so in case of the temple of Pervue. There is a theory that the temple of Pervue, along with the other temples that were different, were actually not of the Vikari."

"So, we can extend the same theory to the temple of the heavenly war too," Pratt exclaimed.

"Yeah," Dia continued. "Could that mean there's something more to the mention of Lycar?"

"Maybe," Pratt said slowly. "Maybe not."

"Let's not give the idea much consideration," I said. "Also not throw it out. Let's see if it worms its way in by itself."

"Sounds like a plan," the twins agreed.

"So, anyway, continuing, we can start from this segment. As is clear from its position on the wall, we can expand in all directions. It'll be a puzzle. The long arc are the pieces in place. The pictorial are the pieces we have to fill in. The best part, the biggest advantage, the filled pieces of long arc offer help with deciphering the missing pieces."

"You love puzzles, clearly," Lulu said drily. "I hate them. They're too difficult."

"You're too dumb, maybe?" Pratt suggested.

"Maybe," Lulu agreed without hesitation. "That's Djiwain's love. I like simple. I'll just sit by, quiet. Okay?"

"You know you can do whatever you choose," I said, earning a hug.

"I could kiss you," Lulu said.

"Please don't," the three of us said together.

All of us burst out laughing.