The inContinuum

The Eldin and the Continuum By Jacob Hegh The Eldin race, originating from the planet of Deisolus, is one of the original three species in the known galaxy and though they are one of the most recognized and respected members in the Assembly of Representatives, a governing gathering of various galactic species, not much is known about them or their most significant phenomenon: the Continuum. Deisolus is a lush planet centered in the Michus System with a population of approximately 10.3 billion Eldins. They are mainly governed by a singular, centralized entity known as the Matriarch of Deisolus who has a set of capable advisers. Local and largely autonomous governments are also found on the various continents but all follow the guidance of the Matriarch, who in turn tends not to get too involved in local politics regarding issues such as culture, art and education. However the Eldin military is handled by an intercontinental administration. Despite their military prowess the Eldin will not easily go to war but rather find a peaceful solution before an incident escalates. This, scholars believe, is due to the fact of their former commitment to another race only known as the Fathers. The Eldins were used as a formidable military strength to enforce the will of the Fathers, which led to both a civil war and a rebellion known as the Wars of Validin Light in honor of the Ilen race, who opened the eyes of the now legendary former commander: Iowyn Khai. The Wars of Validin Light tore the Eldin people into two factions and still to this day they haven't managed to find peace. The then newly appointed Supreme Commander, Aveion Khai, acknowledged this centuries ago and gathered the forces of his faction, which is now known as the inContinuum, and left Deisolus. The inContinuum vanished into the vastness of space where they have remained hidden. Another reason, and the more likely to have ignited the civil war and likewise preventing the peace, was the banishment of the Continuum. What the Continuum exactly is remains a great debate among scholars where some dismiss it as superstition or merely a leftover from a former religion that predates their original encounter with the Fathers. Others claim it's a philosophical way of life and many more theories exist regarding this phenomenon, but there are those who believe it to be true. Although the Eldins are not keen to discuss this, probably due to the banishment of it, scholars did manage to gather some information about it. It seems that the Continuum is a term used to describe the life of an Eldin. They are born into this world and because of the extreme nature of their physiology they are not able to die of natural causes like other races. Their physiology somehow enables regeneration at a certain point in their lives, but the Continuum makes it possible for the Eldins to leave this life by allowing them to enter a realm known as the Fields of Dreams. However this is not easily accomplished. In order to understand this one must first grasp the differences between the male and the female Eldin. The male is a bio-mechanic being who is capable of shaping and manipulating parts of their bodies into other shapes and forms. Usually they do this in combat situations, which has led to the saying that They may take your life. But at least they won't take your guns. This ability to transform themselves and generate objects such as ammunition has puzzled the galactic communities for ages and they are still largely unclear on how they do it. Another ability they have is to manipulate with their surroundings. A male can actually split the water of a lake by becoming one with the water, and effectively be able to bend nature to his will. In order for a male to do this though he must physically touch what he wants to manipulate, and there are some restrictions in this usage, for instance they may split a lake but they cannot split an ocean. This manipulation also requires a

constant physical connection. However puzzling the males may be they are nothing compared to the females. The female Eldin is a rare sight. This is mostly because of the declining birth rate of females since the banishment of the Continuum, but it's also due to their appearance. The females are taller than the males, but where the males are partly mechanical and biological, the females are actually more reminiscent of ghosts or spirits. They are based on a type of biological matter that defies common logic, where they are able to manifest themselves as touchable beings, but only for a limited time, but most of the time they are ethereal. The females seem to be connected in some way to the Continuum which explains why females have become rare after the banishment. At first it was believed that the males and females were actually two separate species inhabiting Deisolus but some suggests that the difference is due to evolution. The males have traditionally been more aggressive than the females in the past and so evolution has made the males more powerful in the physical realm and the females more spiritual due to their relative calm nature. Though the males seem stronger than the females it's actually quite the opposite: thus a female have always been at the heart of government of the Eldins and a platoon of military trained females can outmatch even the most strong and gifted males. Throughout their history the males and females have been equals but today they are no longer mere equals: they complete each other. Simply put: the females have what the males do not, and the males are something that the females are not. The Continuum is thus the bond between the two entities. They complete each other by offering what the other part either don't have or simply isn't. In order for the Continuum to have an effect the Eldins must find their soul mate, the one being who they were meant to be together with, and once they do find this special someone they are able to leave their lives behind and ascend to the Fields of Dreams. However, death before entering the Continuum could have immense consequences. This will send them to the Beyond where they will be forced to endure an unknown process, and if they manage to complete this process they'll be reborn. It they should fail they are sent to the Plains where they will be alone forevermore. The consequence for the other Eldin is that she or he will no longer have the chance to enter the Field of Dreams unless the deceased manages to be reborn, but this process can take years. Even centuries. If they fail then the Eldin is left with no other choice than being eternally alive until death occurs either in battle or in some other way. The Fathers' banishment of the Continuum meant that they would not be able to enter the Field of Dreams, which indicates that it's a very real phenomenon and not just superstition or even traditional belief. It managed to split an entire civilization in two factions. How the Fathers managed to manipulate the Continuum is unknown even to this day. However real or unreal the Continuum may be, or how hard it is to understand, the late Commander Iowyn Khai, who lost his life in an attempt to make peace with the other faction, managed to imprison the Fathers in the Beyond and since the Fathers aren't Eldins they would not be able to escape. At least in theory. After the departure of the inContinuum the planet of Deisolus has been under the careful rule of a female steward due to the death of the Matriarch during the event known as Tears of Heaven. Many Eldins hope that she managed to complete the Process and someday return, which has led to a prophecy regarding the return of the lost Eldins. The inContinuum, who is still believed to be governed by the Supreme Commander Aveion Khai, will according to the prophecy return from the darkness of space following the guidance of the true Matriarch and bring the rebirth of the Continuum.