The Children of Balaang
From Book Two of Kannes — Minsima
During the First Great War, the Children of Ea communed with Sukanun, who was pleased with their love of the light, music, the earth, and air. Sukanun hid them from Horizun and gave them gifts of starfire and other wondrous objects of light. After the war she fell in love with the Elin prince Arada, eldest of Sa and San. Upon their union she bore him a daughter called Ati, who like her mother, she loved the light and like her father she loved the earth and all its abundance. At every eventide she would sing a new song, her voice wafting through the air like a cool, scented mist, even parting the clouds should they cluster, so that the evening star would shine upon her face. She grew strong and notable among her kin.
But Sukanun grew jealous of her daughter due to the affections that others bestowed upon her, and she drove her away into the land of Balaang, causing many to mourn and the day was ever known as a memorial to lament for those who have been lost. Ati then hated her mother and plotted her revenge, despite pleas from her father to forego any conflict. Ati aligned herself with the monstrosities and evil creations of Horizun that survived the First Great War, who had taken refuge in the lands of Tumadan and Ereldam within the lower reach of Balaang, even to the accursed towers which reeked forgotten evils longs since dead. She had a great number of children, who also bore children until their numbers were in the tens of thousands and became the people of Balaang.
A number of years passed before Ati returned to her father and demanded his place on Quum as her birthright. But inside her heart was black and full of deceit, purposed to trick her father into allowing her passage to make war with the Elin who had begun to expand into the outer reaches. Arada pleaded with Ea to permit Ati passage, being aware of her plans and fierce hatred, and yet his own heart was soft towards his daughter and because of this Ea yielded. Draped in frabics woven from the dark places of Tumadan, Ati made her way to Yenu where she was greeted by Arada, who ran towards and embraced her. He wept for a time, then uttered, “Oh my daughter, so full of the dark and hate. Why have you come?” Taken back by her father’s words, Ati responded, “Am I not a castout? Have I not been tossed aside like the dirt and the dust of a vile thing? I am forgotten, hated by my own people, yet by my own means I will assure that some remember the days to come.”
Ati clutched a hidden blade, her thoughts full of wickedness, anger, and envy. She looked to her father as he spoke again, “My daughter, I have not cast you away. You have been with me in my heart for every moment of my being. But if you truly believe I hate you, carry out your vengeance and take my own life. Let it be enough to avert your foul intentions. For I would soon die willing than allow for the light my heart to commit such a great fault by slaying her own kin.” Taken back by her father’s words, Ati grew ashamed. With gritted teeth, she drew forth the blade, allowing it to fall to the ground. Arada embraced Ati and her cold heart melted as she wept openly in his arms. She cast aside her bitterness and soon learned to forgive her mother and father, pledging to forego her evil alliances and to turn back her children from their plotting against the Akanu.
However, a small band of Ati’s children refused to abandon their schemes against the Akanu. Foremost among them was The Kumak. The eldest of the three, known only as “The Lady”, sought out Ozun, promising to lead him on hidden paths so that he may discover the solitary of Horizun.
The remaining Balaang were descendants of Ati who formed their kingdom in the Interstellar cloud bearing their name. Their society was intimately integrated with varying levels of technology, which led to the development of extraordinarily advanced starships allowing the Balaang to undertake deep space explorations that brought them into contact with beings from thousands of worlds. Their leaders were known as “Rhees”, who fought to contain a small but powerful rebel movement led by warlords known as “Pakis”. The Balaang civilization flourished from the time of the 2nd Age of Kamun until they were annexed and assimilated by the Sdu Empire.
