Macrocosmos: A Tale Of Two Planets

So, you want to hear a story, and a story I shall share with you. You've already read the one about a vampire village, dear, and I'm sure you have the one about a damsel in distress memorized, for I've read it to you more than a couple of times already. How about I tell you a different story this time - a tale of two planets? I promise it won't be boring, or at least I'll try my best to make it interesting. Alright, let's begin.

Far away from our Earth, in a different galaxy called Whaelien, there were two planets. They shared an orbit, a pathway around the sun, as you've seen in the pictures of our solar system, which was quite an unusual phenomenon. These two planets had only the orbit, the sun and the stars in common, whose reflections painted their skies. Other than that, they were worlds apart.

Their names were Zentopia and Euphoria. Now, you know how much I love etymology, the science of breaking down words and discovering their roots, so I'll give you some insight. You're not a child anymore, and I'm sure you'll understand better than your little sibling.

"Zen" means peace, tranquility, calmness, and "Topia" in Greek refers to any place. So, Zentopia translates to the "land of peace." The planet Zentopia was, indeed, a peaceful one, even with the high-tech lives its inhabitants led. They were a perfect example our planet could follow, embracing technology, science, and binary zeroes and ones in every aspect of their lives, yet, managing to avoid the pitfalls of addiction and dependency. Robotics was their main passion, but they never ventured into Artificial Intelligence, not because of the potential dangers it posed, but rather because they took pride in their own ingenious minds.

It's quite easy to picture Zentopia, similar to the world we know, with blue skies, tall buildings, and green parks. The only differences might be the numerous elevated expressways, super-fast hoverboards, and advanced vehicles roaming the streets. I'm sure you'd love to live there, my dear, but sadly, it's just an imaginary world.

The peaceful planet of Zentopia was ruled by a wise king, along with the help of his two equally wise brothers. They always prioritized the well-being of their people over everything else, even at the cost of their own comfort. The Zentopians, in turn, were ready to sacrifice everything for the honor of their royal family.

Now, let's talk about Euphoria. "Eu" means good and genuine, whereas "Phoria" means to bear. So, the two words combined represent the "bearer of purity." This description truly fits, considering the natural beauty of their environment and the pure hearts of the Euphorians.

The planet Euphoria was unique, with a pink sky that shifted to purple and indigo as mornings turned to evenings and nights. The abundance of blue and lavender hues created an ambience of calmness with an undertone of melancholy. The people of Euphoria led simple lives, dressed in loose cotton clothing, cherishing nature, and finding joy in books, music, and stargazing.

They, too, had a monarchy, with a just and resolute prince as their leader. The prince's face was mostly hidden behind a mask, leaving only one eye exposed, symbolizing the sun in the darkness.

You might wonder about the old-fashioned ways and the lack of technology in Euphoria. They were well aware of modern technology, but they couldn't use it. Why? Because the Zentopians had restricted them, leaving them with a cursed atmosphere that could be lethal for those unaccustomed to it. This situation arose from a battle in the past that none of the planets were proud of. The battle caused Zen, an element found only in Zentopia, to mix with the gas layers of Euphoria. Zen had a certain toxicity, especially for the Euphorians, and it hindered the use of electricity or magnetic fields, leaving Euphoria in a rather miserable state. The lingering resentments from that past conflict cast a shadow over their relations.

The planets and their rulers tried to feign peace for years, but they could do so no longer. Tensions mounted, and a war seemed imminent. Every step forward had the potential to set them a hundred steps back. You, as an outsider, are called to be a tiebreaker. Which side will you choose? Zentopia with a handsome, cunning king, or Euphoria with a masked, formidable prince? To aid you in your decision-making, I'll continue with my story...