Genshin Impact: Towards Godhood

For a considerable period, people have faced a fundamental issue: the strength of a collective far exceeds that of individuals. Consequently, people banded together to form tribes, and these tribes eventually evolved into kingdoms.

The foundation of a kingdom lies in individuals' inability to withstand natural disasters and human conflicts alone. Hence, they unite under a single governance to use collective power to fend off external threats.

However, the challenge arises in how to distribute the benefits within the group to satisfy the most members. Although this issue has been temporarily resolved, to this day, the hierarchical structure of governance, resembling a pyramid, persists throughout society. The basic needs of the common people must be met, ensuring they do not perish. Further considerations then delve deeper.

Rama does not dwell on the matter of distribution. For a long time, he has played the role of receiving allocations. As a scholar of the tribe, he has never displayed his combat prowess. Even Tadhla, the falcon responsible for his protection, is unaware of Rama's true strength.

"No one is truly without ambition. Even if you do not desire power, you should appreciate the perks that come with it."

Returning to the tribe, Rama stood before Babel's tent. In a matriarchal society structure like theirs, the Matriarch is the core of the Tanit tribe's authority. After the previous matriarch's death, a group known as the Elders experienced the importance of power and refused to reinstate the matriarchal system, choosing instead to be ruled by the Nine Elders.

This is understandable. There is only one matriarch who enjoys all the tribe's power, but there can be many elders who share relatively equal power. Therefore, many elders did not want the tribe to have another matriarch. Babel was an exception; she did not want to share power with others and aspired to become the matriarch, monopolizing all authority.

However, it was obvious that the other elders would not agree. Since power is limited, Babel holding all the power would mean the others would go from decision-makers to mere followers. Naturally, they did not want to let go of their power. Consequently, Babel chose to eliminate most of the elders. Dead men cannot dispute the opinions and decisions of the living. Babel understood this principle well: if you cannot solve a problem, eliminate the source of the problem.

When you cannot address someone's objections, why not make that person and their objections disappear? That way, there will be no dissent.

Rama planned to start with Babel. She was very ambitious. Objectively speaking, trying to take power from someone so ambitious is a mistake. They regard power as more important than their children, parents, or even life itself. If you dare to covet their power, they will find a way to kill you.

But in the story, Babel had a fatal flaw: she was too weak. When weakness is the underlying condition, her grand ambitions are merely a simple description—ambitions too high, life too fragile.

"Rama?" The woman sitting in the chair smiled warmly. "My child, it's rare to see you at this time. What is it? Does our brilliant scholar need more support from the tribe?"

She was too perceptive.

"Elder Babel," Rama said calmly, "I went to Caravan Ribat and saw the world beyond the desert. The land there is fertile, and resources are abundant. Compared to that, the desert is hardly a suitable place to live."

"I know, that's precisely what I wanted you to see." Babel's tone was mocking. "The elders prevent the children from seeing the new world, fearing they will abandon the desert. I must admit, their concerns are not unfounded. But what is there to love about this barren land?"

If you think the land is barren, then go and take the fertile land instead of forcing and teaching the children to love and praise the barren desert. You can love the tribe without loving the desert. This was Babel's belief.

"Seeing a new world should inspire greater ambition... For example, why should they occupy the rainforest? Why can't we be the masters of the rainforest?" Rama muttered. "Is that what you think?"

"Shouldn't I?" Babel chuckled. "But, my child, don't speak such thoughts aloud. Speaking of unattainable things either brings disaster or invites ridicule. What we truly need to do, not even the gods need to know. Just go and do it."

"Alright, alright. You've always been a smart one, not needing the elders' teachings." Her eyes were intense. "Tell me, what do you want?"

"Power," Rama said without hesitation.

"Ordinarily, I should scold you because power is precious and scarce, meant only for the few." Babel's tone was lazy. "But fortunately, the tribe has many elders. They are old and cling to power without letting go."

She was telling Rama how to gain power: make them die. This answer aligned with Rama's understanding.

Elders taught the lower-ranking tribespeople to respect their comrades and love the tribe. At the top, the elders fought for power. It had always been this way, unending.

"Just the elders' power is far from enough," Rama shook his head.

"If you can silently kill them, I can support you in rising to power, at the cost of your loyalty," Babel laughed. "But now, what are you saying? You say this is still far from enough? Do you want my position?"

She laughed out loud. "Or do you want to become my master?"

In reality, the tribe's governance mirrored the Sages of the Akademiya, where among the Six Great Sages, one held the highest position. Among the elders of the Tanit tribe, Babel's power was not substantial because she was born a falcon. Falcons were orphans taken or adopted by the tribe, undergoing rigorous education and training to become weapons for the elders. 

Their origins dictated that the upper power structures would rarely let them hold significant power. A knife is a knife; it just needs to kill. Why let a knife wield power?

Babel's rise to power was indeed due to her abilities far surpassing those of the elders. When power is coveted, Babel felt no anger. Not because she was forgiving or kind, but because she did not want to bicker with an inexperienced but talented child.

Sixteen-year-old Rama, though academically gifted, was still an immature child to Babel. He was valuable, so she was willing to give more opportunities.

Rama took out the Vision from his pocket. The red Vision gleamed brightly.

"A Vision," Babel took the Vision in her hand. "You obtained this without anyone knowing."

"So, is the disparity between the two worlds too great for you to bear?"

She assumed Rama had acquired the Vision after seeing the barren desert and the rich world beyond, though it seemed strange. Visions often came in inexplicable ways. Some people went mad pursuing a Vision and ended up empty-handed. Others, indifferent to obtaining one, found a Vision silently appearing before them. It was a gift from the gods, and the gods' will was not for humans to comprehend.

"No, I had it earlier." In Rama's palm, red-gold flames danced. "But only recently have I had the strength to solve problems, so now I can reveal it."

"The strength to solve problems..." Babel murmured. "If you speak to me this way, then you are no longer my child."

"Whether you are an ally, a master, or an enemy depends on your future words and actions."

"Rama, what do you think?"

When it comes to power, there is no family, no children or elders, only enemies to be defeated or eliminated. Either conquer or be conquered.

"I will become the master of the tribe and lead it to greater heights," Rama took a deep breath. "For a long time, the desert has not lacked scholars and heroes, but they left their homeland, heading to the rainforest to embrace a new future."

"I don't like the barren desert either, preferring the abundance of the rainforest. But I cannot abandon my kin."

Claiming to love the desert and not preferring the evergreen, bountiful rainforest was something Rama could not say. However, disliking the desert and abandoning his kin were two different matters. Preferring the lush rainforest and ignoring the plight of his people in favor of his future were also two different things.

(Chapter End)