1 Prologue: Kael

Friday nights are for one thing and one thing only...

Not parties, get togethers or events of any nature but ...rigorous academic study.

But on this Friday night, Professor Kael Richards found himself at a very lively university fundraiser, surrounded by unlucky academics, narcissistic philanthropists, and egomaniac entrepreneurs. Donations can be done online with a credit card with no need for contact if the aim is to further the cause of scientific research but the rich busy bodies needed an excuse to come out and let other people wine and dine them out of funds that those people need to keep the lights on but which amounted to a tax break for the billionaires.

As Kael pretended to be enjoying himself and mingling through the crowd, his eyes caught sight of a famous Silicon Valley tech billionaire that he admired, roughly the same age as him, dressed in a sophisticated attire of ...a t-shirt, jeans, and flip flops.

Gathering his courage, Kael adjusted his suit and tie before approaching the billionaire, extending his hand for a handshake.

The billionaire stared at his hand and then stared back at Kael. "I don't do handshakes," he said.

This was the first red flag.

"Of course. Good evening, I'm Professor Kael Richards," Kael rubbed his hand across his suit jacket and introduced himself, his voice filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment. "I hold a PhD in Archeological Linguistics from the Department of Languages and Cultures."

The tech billionaire, seemingly unimpressed by the credentials and the traditional academic attire of Kael's suit, raised an eyebrow and inquired, "Archeological Linguistics, huh? What exactly does that entail?"

Kael, momentarily caught off guard by the dour demeanor of the billionaire, quickly composed himself and responded, "Well, in simple terms, I study and translate little known languages, some of which have even become extinct. It's a field that allows me to dive deep into the intricacies of communication and preserve the richness of diverse cultures."

The tech billionaire suddenly burst into laughter, causing those nearby to turn their attention to the exchange. With a chuckle, he remarked, "So in other words, you're like the King of the parking lot, huh? Translating languages that people care so little about that they no longer speak them?!"

The surrounding crowd erupted into laughter, fueling Kael's embarrassment. The weight of his dedication and passion suddenly felt diminished, his achievements reduced to a mere punchline. He excused himself politely, his face flushed with humiliation, and made his way out of the event.

As Kael quickly rode home in his bike, his head hung low and chaffing inside his helmet, he couldn't help but repeat a bitter mantra under his breath, "I hate my life." The weight of the evening's encounter and the sense of insignificance gnawed at him, casting a shadow over his once fervent enthusiasm for his chosen field.

Professor Kael Richards arrived home, his heart heavy with a mix of anticipation and dread. He had just endured an embarrassing encounter at the university fundraiser, and now he found himself standing in front of his apartment door, faced with yet another unexpected blow. As he approached, he noticed something suspicious.

Several trash bags on the welcome mat. An inspection of the contents revealed that they were filled with his belongings packed haphazardly.

Taking a deep breath, Kael raised his hand and knocked on the door. The music playing inside the house abruptly ceased, leaving behind an eerie silence. With each passing second, his anxiety heightened, and he strained his ears to catch any sound from within.

And then, he heard them—two distinct voices. One was unmistakably that of his girlfriend, a voice he had grown accustomed to over the years. But the other, a male voice, was unfamiliar and sent a chill down Kael's spine.

Through the closed door, he heard his girlfriend's voice whisper, "Keep quiet so that loser just goes away."

His heart sank.

Kael's voice trembled as he pleaded through the door, "Please, let's talk about this. Let's work it out. We can get through this together."

After a few seconds, still no response from the other side.

The male voice sneered, "Get lost!" while his girlfriend joined in with mocking laughter, a sound that shattered Kael's spirit.

Tears welled up in his eyes, a mixture of heartbreak and disbelief. The reality of the situation crashed down on him. With a heavy heart, Kael turned away from the closed door, the weight of the moment pressing upon his shoulders.

Professor Kael Richards, still shaken by the recent betrayal, managed to haul his belongings to his office at the university. As he reached the door, he spotted a package clumsily and poorly wrapped in brown paper leaning against it, an unexpected addition to his already chaotic day. Having more pressing things on his mine, Kael picked it up and carried it inside, placing it gently on his desk.

After indulging in his feelings for a few minutes, Kael opened the package, revealing a beautifully preserved, old leather-bound book. A note accompanied it, written by the very tech billionaire who had mocked him at the fundraiser. The note offered a half-hearted apology but Kael knew that that was the best he would get. The billionaire blamed his rudeness on drunkenness and offered the book as a gesture of goodwill.

As Kael turned the ancient pages, he realized that the language written inside was older than Sumerian and Akkadian, languages that were considered some of the earliest known. The rarity of books predating those civilizations struck him, as older civilizations preferred metal carvings and sculptures over written texts.

Kael's eyes widened in wonder as he realised just how precious the books were. The billionaire's wealth was no secret, but the boldness to leave such an expensive gift at his door, exposed to theft, left him speechless but there was no denying that this was one way of showing regret.

The book must have been worth several hundred millions!

Seated at his desk, with a mixture of gratitude and excitement coursing through his veins, Kael poured himself a drink, placed his glasses on his nose, put on a pair of latex gloves and dove into the task at hand—translating the enigmatic text.

Time seemed to blur as Kael immersed himself in the pages, his mind captivated by the intricacies of a language long lost to the annals of history. With each deciphered word, a sense of purpose rekindled within him. The pain of his recent heartbreak momentarily faded as he delved into the mysteries of the ancient text, his passion for linguistics reignited.

In that moment, Kael realized that even amidst heartache and setbacks, his calling remained steadfast. The world of languages and cultures had not abandoned him; it had presented him with a new challenge, an opportunity to unearth forgotten wisdom and reconnect with the profound depths of human expression.