As an employee at the Ragunna branch of the Pioneer Association, I rarely bring up my hometown with colleagues.
I come from a small town called Egla, which fits every definition of a "small town"-simple, a bit behind the times, and quiet, at least during daylight hours. Through my business travels worldwide, I've seen many such towns. Most eventually merge into larger, fortified cities for protection from TDs or the Lament. Few people realize, however, that Egla's history as a settlement is nearly as ancient as Ragunna's, and it had stubbornly kept much of its original character.
Within the Order, there's a well-known piece of advice: never anger the elders of Egla.
Visitors to Egla might encounter a few lively elders who seem like humble figures, be it a local mayor or an innkeeper. But behind these modest roles, many were once people of influence, even retired Acolytes or Priests of the Order who served alongside the Primus, interpreted the oracles, or shaped doctrines. When Ragunna was still a city on the rise, these elders-or their forebears-stood on the front lines, helping lay its very foundations. After long, distinguished careers, they returned to Egla, choosing to spend their later years in the place where it all began.
What is it, exactly, that keeps people returning to Egla Town?
Honestly, I can't quite understand the mindset of that generation.
The last time I left my hometown, I saw a group of elders gathered in front of an abandoned house, almost as if they were holding a vigil.
They stood there for a long time in silence before one of them spoke, reflecting on the past:
"Old friend, time doesn't turn back. You can't live forever in what might have been. You need to understand that the present isn't necessarily worse than the past. It might even be better... We couldn't save that child in the end. But we should be grateful for the majority we did save."