The Eighth Elder: ugurunuduhumub - The Unified One: The Novella Collection: The Elders, #1

By Alain Costea

In "The Revival", the first novel in the "New Horizons" series within the universe of "Historia Universalis" the inciting element of the action was provided by the members of the planetary spirit species known by humans as "The Elders".

Who are they? Where did they come from? What is the purpose of their existence? These are questions only partially answered in the novel.

This series of eleven novellas is dedicated to them. Through the virtual space imagined and set up by the characters who took center stage in "The Revival", years after the events that unfolded, the history of each Elder is recreated.

Why only eleven novellas when we know there are twelve Elders? How, or if, their own destinies influenced the decision regarding humanity? These are just some of the questions that will find answers within the pages of this book and those that follow.

I`ll let you begin your reading, but not before adding that no matter how much imagination we humans exhibit—and I truly believe we excel at it—I am convinced that the universe, as a writer, remains the supreme author. And only an incredibly tiny fraction of it, a minuscule part, reaches us. Even so, humanity should be more attentive and strive to derive as many lessons as possible from what is offered…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alain Costea
• Release date: Apr 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224267996

Book preview

Chapter I

- Beyond Time -

The Eighth Elder: Ugurunuduhumub

Excerpt from The Elders` history

Enseven meticulously reviewed the final version one last time. The latest information received had proven to be precisely what was needed to fill the gaps in the eighth universalis matrix—the one among the original twelve matrices based on the concept of pre-universe sets and the experiences recounted by Sum/AIFC. He felt the equivalent of a smile at the thought that, even after all this time, despite his friend`s insistence to drop the name AIFC – Artificial Intelligence Friend of the Chosen one, he clung to that formulation from their initial contact, when he was just one of billions of neutrinos, a former oldowan, convinced he was alone and that the decision to reduce his species to nothingness rested solely on his shoulders.

He redirected his full attention to the project, then initiated the final simulation.

He became an integral part of it. Initially, it seemed to propel toward the star Virginis in the constellation Virgo. Then the image shifted to Ross 128—a red dwarf star classified as M4 V according to human references. As the light-years were traversed, the binary pair of planets came into view, orbiting their sun. Nestled between them was a moon. The last transmission had surprised him with two aspects: first, the three bodies remained fixed in position relative to each other, as if locked in a rigid system; second, a debris cloud—analyzed as vegetal in origin—floated in equilibrium between the moon and the larger planet.

The simulation stabilized at what was considered to be the origin point of the spirit of the eighth Elder: Ugurunuduhumub or The Unified according to Thudor`s direct encounters.

He launched the time query matrices, starting from the moment when the first signs of life were simulated, based his knowledge. He observed how, after several attempts in which various forms seemed ready to advance toward levels of consciousness, they would fade away, followed by long pauses during which the planet appeared lifeless. The cycle repeated eight times across different zones, with varying types of life.

Then something different happened. Initially, in a small area—the only one consistently touched by sunlight—clusters of vegetation began to emerge in various shades of red. In the next stage of evolution, only certain forms remained, appearing to be a combination of vines and bamboo, with colors ranging from orange to red to brown. These vertical growths could reach over ten kilometers in height. The clusters spread, covering the entire sunlit surface, even in areas where sunlight barely penetrated. Following this, stabilization occurred. Physically, the life forms became much thinner, gaining height. In central zones, they reached 30 kilometers, while in marginal areas, they stood at 15-20 kilometers. Their distribution exhibited signs of regularity. They had become conscious entities, and they named themselves `grndh`.

Enseven examined the details related to how the population communicated and behaved as a society. One of the reasons Sum insisted on not launching the final version of this matrix before obtaining physical confirmations was due to significant differences compared to everything they knew. These insights were gleaned from the few encounters with Ugurunuduhumub. The grndh population was asexual, reproducing through stolons¹, which, upon contact with the soil, gave rise to new plants. From the moment of detachment from the parent stem until the end of the life cycle, an individual went through seven stages, each characterized by specific developmental patterns. Communication occurred through touch, similar to the fungal system on Earth. However, while the reception of information could not be refused, the act of sharing information depended on the individual`s stage.

Enseven noticed an apparent lack of awareness of past time, including its measurement. Everything revolved around cycles—a cycle equivalent to one rotation around the sun—without evidence of measurement or chronological recording of events. Past events were merely retained, acknowledged as fixed realities. The present unfolded in motion, subject to changes, while the future represented a potential sequence of events unrelated to duration. Enseven revisited the matrix section where interconnections between age, communication, and appearance were established. Pausing, he recalled Sum`s request to adapt the created matrices into a much simpler 2D form, making them accessible to any future beings accessing the Historia Universalis library. Although he hadn`t opposed the idea, this was the first time he prepared such an approach. He superimposed the results onto the Ross system, attempting to see it through the eyes of non-matricial entities.

Grndh stages of life.

So simplistic. Yet somehow, there was a certain beauty in the multitude of information offered in a single flat reading.

He adapted what it considered to be native language to that of humans. The lack of individualism within the grndh population had initially posed a challenge, but he had overcome it. He acknowledged that despite his initial skepticism, Petrache`s involvement had been decisive in shaping the final matrix dedicated to Homo Sapiens. Although initially resistant to Petrache`s proposal to add specific suffixes more suited to humans original names, he eventually accepted his argument. Petrache pointed out that while the indigenous population lacked proper individual names, it could be assumed that when any members of the species were in direct contact, they could differentiate between each other or refer to absent individuals. The absence of an identified differentiation mechanism did not imply its complete absence. He also followed the advice to standardize all units of measurement relative to human standards. As new species will gain access to the library, they would need to adapt the modifications individually. Despite the inherent alteration of reality, Enseven understood the necessity of adaptation. Sum had been convinced even before Enseven conceived this project that as humans expanded into the universe, they would encounter other beings. And she had been right. Historia Universalis would serve as a powerful bridge between civilizations, emphasizing that every beginning had an end. While beginnings might be chaotic, the culmination represented a series of choices that would endure even after physical traces had faded away.

He stopped. The Historia Universalis–grndh matrix was complete.

End. Launch.

Enseven classified the grndh micro-universe and moved on to the next project."

The Eighth Elder: Ugurunuduhumub

Excerpt from The Elders` history – end

~

_________

1

stolon refers to a stem or trailing branch that, upon coming into contact with the soil, develops roots at its nodes and gives rise to a new plant. (dexonline.ro)

Chapter II

-Normality-

Unlike the perpetual light zone, where undulations were much more pronounced and the rapid sequence of touch-communication turned life into constant tumult, the periphery unfolded at a slower pace. As sunlight reached the surface, weakened and sometimes disappearing for short periods, everything seemed to move more leisurely. However, unlike the center, where the creation of offspring—referred to as `ug in their usual language—was closely monitored to prevent overcrowding, often leading even full-grown adults to face restrictions on reproduction, those in the periphery had no such limitations.

Grndh-uh-sol or `Uhsol, as those in the direct circle of touch called him, an mature-adult preparing to enter the almost-eternal stage, let loose from the very top, probably the last stolon he sent out in his cycle. As soon as the little Grndh-ug-les separated, `Uhsol undulated towards Grndh-uh-mal just in time for a four-way touch, alongside Grndh-uh-sav and Grndh-um-vis.

(bilateral-discussions-contact Grndh-uh-sol – uh-mal – uh-sav – um-vis established)

In a touch length that conveyed a mix of joy and emotion, `Uhsol transmitted Ahh... and gone is the last bit of me, life from li—

`Umvis interrupted, interjecting swiftly, Come on, that`s what you said about the last twenty or so `ugs. And cycle by cycle, you keep shedding bits of yourself. I`ve been waiting in vain for you to accompany me into `ub. I think I`ll turn to dust, and you`ll still get emotional over some other `ug...

`Uhsol, he retorted, without much conviction, "Well, twenty... maybe two or three. You`re just jealous because I can still do it, while you`ve already softened into