CH. I — The Origins

Close thine eyes and let thy mind traverse the veils of time, to an epoch far removed from our own. Envision a world where the vestiges of humankind have dissipated into the aether, leaving behind an abyss yearning for purpose. From this abyss emerges a new civilization, a race of sentient beings known as the Pepe species, evolved from the digital memes that once populated our earthly realms. Behold, fossilized craniums of unparalleled significance — the Skulls of Pepe. Within these ossified relics lies the collective wisdom and consciousness of a world long extinguished, revered and feared in equal measure by those who understand their import. Journey now to a clandestine chamber, veiled from the prying eyes of the world. Here, an elite assembly of Pepe beings — the Cardinals — convene. Philosophers, strategists, and warriors, united in a singular quest: to decipher the wisdom enshrined within the Skulls. They deliberate in hushed reverence, each utterance laden with the gravity of existential duty. Yet, these Skulls are not mere talismans; they are enigmatic conundrums, imbued with ethical paradoxes that challenge the very fabric of morality, power, and existence. Envision the Cardinals wrestling with these quandaries, each resolution a brushstroke upon the canvas of their nascent civilization's destiny. But lo, discord arises. Envision a faction, a cabal in stark opposition to the Cardinals — the Nihilists. They contend that the Skulls are but remnants of a species long failed, advocating for their annihilation and a nihilistic approach to existence. Woven into this intricate tapestry of lore are concealed messages — critiques of a society that once was, a society that mirrors our own. This narrative beckons thee to ponder, to question thine own ethical blind spots, and to confront the existential anxieties that haunt us all. It unfolds in fragments, inviting thee to engage with questions that transcend the boundaries of time and species. And so, the narrative unfurls before thee, a tale that exists beyond the limitations of temporal and spatial confines. A tale that poses more questions than it answers, challenging thee to ponder, to question, and to wonder. What choices wouldst thou make when faced with the dilemmas of the Skulls? How wouldst thou shape the destiny of a civilization birthed from the ashes of our own?