Deviant: No Longer Human

"Humanity was instructed to remain aloof, irrespective of the calamities befalling them—be it pestilence that ravaged continents or despots bent on annihilation. For in Zeus\'s eyes, good and evil were but elements of the cosmic balance, and he aspired for the gods to be seen as impartial entities. Yet, this ideal was fundamentally flawed, as they were not divine by nature."

"Wang, the term \'gods\' is incredibly subjective. What does it truly denote? An omnipotent, indifferent entity? Or beings like you, the Deviants? From humanity\'s vantage, none of the sacred texts truly capture the essence of divinity from a standpoint of neutrality. Gods have always been depicted as champions of humanity and paragons of virtue.

These myths serve as moral beacons, narratives constructed by humans to steer their collective conscience, ensuring their survival and fostering their progression."

"...Once the unity within these pantheons crumbled under the weight of internal conflicts, and as these extraordinary communities disintegrated, they mingled with ordinary humans. The offspring of such unions were significantly less potent, the profound knowledge began to fade, and the once-potent bloodlines diluted.

It reached a stage where, amidst tens of thousands, perhaps only one possessed a brain resilient enough to wield psychokinesis without catastrophic consequence."

"Their physical resilience and skeletal strength waned alongside the rise of modern technology, leading to a current state where humans possess the frailest form of all their ancestors. Even their cerebral capacity has dwindled, no longer potent enough to manipulate the very particles of their environment."

Aurora concluded with a smile, leaving Wang Xiao in a muddle of thoughts. "So, are we evolving... backwards?"

Is it possible that the technology intended to be humanity\'s boon has, in fact, been its bane?

Wang Xiao\'s confusion deepened.

A flicker of amusement crossed Aurora\'s face, barely containing her laughter. "Not exactly. The concept of myth isn\'t as ancient as you might think. In fact, \'myth\' once simply meant stories. Just as religions can be seen as constructs by certain communities to establish moral guidelines, myths were originally stories."

"If an omniscient deity truly had the bandwidth to inscribe edicts within sacred texts, and yet individuals continuously defy these injunctions, it leads us to a crossroads of interpretation: the deity is either not all-knowing, or he consents to such transgressions. The second option is particularly troubling, casting him in the light of a sadistic overseer rather than a detached arbiter."

"If this deity demands worship and supplication for favors, his impartiality is further compromised"

"A basic critical examination suggests that religious doctrines are predominantly human fabrications, tailored to regulate human behavior, much like the constitutions that delineate the boundaries of our modern societies."

"It\'s perplexing, isn\'t it? How a document penned by the hands of ancient scribes continues to dictate the lives of millions? Or how constitutions, essentially sets of guidelines devised by inherently flawed humans, have come to wield such authority that they overshadow the very essence of the states they were meant to serve?"

"This phenomenon has escalated to the point where these constructs have outgrown their national confines, evolving into formidable tools of control."

"Previously, religious texts authored by mortals served as the ultimate arbiters of human conduct, imbuing a select few with the power to govern the masses under the guise of divine mandate."

"Today, this mantle has been passed to the constitution, a secular scripture, which, while devoid of divine attribution, commands a similar, if not greater, reverence and obedience."

"In both instances, the inherent adaptability and evolutionary potential of humanity are overlooked, as these rigid frameworks offer little room for growth or adaptation."

"Humans forget that they are ever-evolving beings, and by adhering strictly to these unyielding rules, they inadvertently stifle their own development."

"Returning to your query, no, humanity isn\'t regressing in the evolutionary sense. However, barring the exceptional individuals among us who possess extraordinary genetic gifts, the broader populace has faced limitations, a trend that was bound to intensify in the absence of Aether. This eventual decline was all but invetible."

"With the progression of modern technology, there lies a potential for humanity to reach or even surpass the glory of Pangea! Yet, this aspiration is contingent upon our ability to transcend the constraints of our self-imposed legal and moral codices," she concluded, her words trailing off into a deep sigh.

Wang Xiao\'s confusion was growing as he struggled to grasp the comparison to Pangea—a civilization believed to be not only ancient but also possessing technology far beyond modern comprehension.

Catching the puzzled look on his face, Aurora realized she needed a more relatable analogy to clarify her point. With an unwittingly charming gesture, she extended her hand, her expressions animated yet strangely endearing as she embarked on an explanation. "Okay, hear me out. Let\'s consider the trajectory of current humanity.

You\'re delving into the minutiae of each element at an unprecedentedly microscopic level."

"In the Pangean era, we had the advantage of Aether. It was a catalyst that enhanced our understanding of the universe, complemented by a wealth of knowledge inherited from our ancestors—effectively, we were born into an advanced state."

"However, today, you must remember that everything in your world, including Aether, is comprised of existing matter. The clash between Emperor Aegis and that extraterrestrial force exhausted the Aether, dispersing it into various forms of matter. This dispersion led to its gradual depletion.

Now, consider your modern achievements—how did humanity develop nuclear weapons?" She posed the question with a gleam of curiosity in her eyes.

Wang Xiao blinked, slightly taken aback by the sudden shift in topic. "Not entirely sure, but it involved some kind of reaction involving plutonium or uranium, I think?"