FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

When I started out on my journey, I grew and matured, flying higher into the sky until I soared with stars and galaxies. I fought gods and demons, created worlds, and have looked at and understood infinity. I have seen things that would make a mortal's mind break. I know truths that can shatter worlds and every night I hear the cries of everyone I have failed to save over the many, many years of my existence.

I am constantly reminded of how much like a mortal I am. Unsure, lacking confidence and absolute strength, seeking a destiny that is both familiar and unknowable at the same time. But in the end, I am still one that people look up to. I must remain strong. I cannot falter, for that would mean that everything, all our work, has been for nothing. And when I fail, I must accept it and push forward, never forgetting but also never looking back for too long.

One could say that is my guiding principle. How interesting, then, that it is the same for mortals as well as gods. Because in the end, I believe we are the same at heart.

It is the process of growth, of change, and of failure that builds up a person. Many consider it to a path of maturity, but that condenses down the truth to a singular ideal. In the end, our guiding principles, our essence, are a process of understanding, of comprehension about oneself. A discovery, if you will, simple and small.

And it is just that one thing that lights up the universe.

Dragon-God Alcyrion

The Afterword to The Arcane Compendium, Vol. 1. Magic Discovered

The Chronicler's Tale

"So..." A perky voice echoed through the small room. "What now, exactly? I mean, you finished the first volume."

"Yeah," the Wolf-Dragon answered, closing the huge book with a thud. "Except, you do realize that volume implies that there's more than one?"

"I know that," the AI said indignantly. "That much is obvious. What I meant was, are you going to finish translating the book? How big is it, anyway?"

The Wolf-Dragon let out a small whimper. "Four volumes, if you can believe it, each one bigger than the last. Why did the Head Librarian have to saddle me with all this work?"

"Probably because you're the one that said you wanted to be a historian. And besides, the Compendium likes you."

The boy raised an eyebrow. "You realize that normal books aren't supposed to have emotions, right Zero?"

The AI, Zero, had its hologram raised an eyebrow as well. "You're reading and translating a book written by the Dragon-God. What part of that do you think is normal?"

The Wolf-Dragon stood up from his chair, stretched, shook his head a couple of times, and then flopped right back down on his bed.

"Time for a much-needed rest," he groaned. "I feel like I haven't slept for a week."

Zero chuckled. "Actually..."

"What do you want now? For Alcyrion's sake, just be quiet for once."

"Ok... but I thought you might want to take this call."

The Wolf-Dragon gave a long, suffering sigh. "Who's it from?" he asked, pulling a pillow over his face. "Actually, I don't care. Just tell them I'm lazy and don't have time for stupid things right now."

"Alright," Zero replied, a massive grin on his face. "I'll let Enigma know."

There was a moment of silence. Zero counted silently on digital fingers.

"Five, four, three, two, one..."

The boy's eyes shot open. "Wait! Don't do that, he'll kill me! Or at least send me out on some stupid mission on an ice planet!"

"Too late!" Zero said cheerfully. "He hung up. Apparently, he wants you down in the library as soon as absolutely possible."

"Oh no," The Wolf-Dragon held his face in his hands. "I'm doomed."

"You shouldn't have been putting him off," Zero chided.

"I was busy though!"

The boy hopped around the room, yanking on clothing and hoping it was clean. Racing over to the desk, he scooped the Compendium into his leather bookbag, along with a fresh notebook and pen, and then headed for the door.

"Alright, I should be back soon!" he called over his shoulder. "Remember to not overcharge yourself."

"Dio, wait! Aren't you going to take me?"

Dio glanced back. "Why, is it a combat mission?"

"Well... no."

"Great, then no need. You should focus on installing those updates instead."

As Dio slipped out the door, Zero grumbled to himself. "No need for an eye scope, install those updates instead, who does he think he is? My parent? Half the times I'm not with him, he almost gets himself killed!"

Zooming in on the papers strewn about Dio's desk, the AI sighed.

"At least this time it looks like he left a halfway decent story behind. When he went on that mission to Halres, he forgot and I was bored for an entire month. Hopefully this can keep me interested for a while."

The AI concentrated, channeling enough magic to slid the papers off each other so he could read them. Then, noticing something off, he groaned.

"That kid," he muttered, beginning to input data into his systems. "For a Chronicler, he's got an absolutely horrible writing sense. I mean, look at this! For a translated version of Reality's greatest text, it's hideous!"

Zero groaned. "Well, at least this will keep me busy. But I'm still gonna kill that idiot when he get's back. This time, for real! Augh!"