Beyond Boundaries with Julian Morraine (EP - 1_6): Uncovering the Shadows of War

Uncovering the Shadows of War

 By Julian Morraine

 Earth Date: February 23^rd, 2044

Zarumin Date: Orbita 66,626, Lumina Cycle 3, Zara 28 (66,626:3:28))

 Introduction: Echoes of Conflict

The more time I spend on Proxima Centauri b, the more I realize how little we know about this planet. For all its wonders and astonishing achievements, the Zarumin civilization has a darker side—a past marked by conflict, betrayal, and secrets that still linger just beneath the surface.

After the disaster in Aurorin and the guarded responses from the Zarumin, I found myself asking questions about the world’s history. What are the Shadow Wars? What sparked the Resource Wars? And more importantly, how did these events shape the society that exists today?

Every civilization has its scars, but on Proxima b, the wounds of the past seem fresher, as though they haven’t quite healed. Perhaps the planet’s eternal twilight has a way of preserving the echoes of the past. Whatever the case, I knew I couldn’t leave Aurorin without seeking out some answers.

A Meeting with History: Seeking the Truth in Aurorin

I’d heard whispers during my time in Tenebrae and Aurorin—hushed conversations about the Shadow Wars, about ancient factions within the Zarumin that fought over territory and power. Even now, in the relative peace of modern Proxima b, the memory of those wars seems to hang in the air like a storm cloud just waiting to break.

I approached a Zarumin historian, a Nocturne named Elavorn, who had been recommended to me by one of the human researchers. Elavorn was the quiet, introspective type—someone who had spent most of his life piecing together the fragments of a long-forgotten era. We met in his study, a dimly lit chamber within Aurorin’s geothermal archives, where the walls seemed to hum with the planet’s energy.

“You want to know about the Shadow Wars?” Elavorn’s voice was soft, almost a whisper, as though even speaking about them could conjure the violence back into existence. “They were... different times. Times when the Zarumin were not as united as they are today.”

He gestured toward a large stone tablet on the wall—an ancient relic etched with faded symbols and battle depictions. It was a war map showing the key regions and cities involved in the conflict. I noticed that some of those cities no longer existed.

“The Shadow Wars were a civil conflict that lasted for hundreds of Orbita. It was a time of division between the Nocturnes and the Solarins, a battle for dominance and control over the most precious resources—the twilight itself.”

The Shadow Wars: A Civil War Beneath the Surface

As Elavorn explained, the Shadow Wars were not just about land or power; they were about identity. The Nocturnes, who had long thrived in the darker regions of the twilight zone, believed they had a divine connection to the shadows, a claim to the deeper mysteries of the planet. The Solarins, on the other hand, saw the light as their birthright, their superiority tied to their mastery of solar energy and light-harvesting technologies.

“At first, it was political,” Elavorn said, his hands resting on the stone tablet. “But as resources grew scarce, and tensions flared, it became something more. Brother turned against brother, and the shadows began to creep deeper into our hearts.”

The wars were brutal, fought across the planet’s most strategic locations—cities like Velaara, where geothermal energy was abundant, and Tenebrae, the spiritual heart of the Nocturnes.

Among the key figures was Celestra Sol, a Solarin visionary leader who sought to unite the planet’s scattered factions under the banner of technological progress. She was hailed as a hero by some, a tyrant by others, as her campaign to dominate the twilight zone through solar technology clashed violently with Nocturne beliefs. She spearheaded several campaigns to expand Solarin control over Nocturne territories but faced fierce resistance from her counterpart, Draconis Vantor, a charismatic military strategist and one of the most prominent Nocturne leaders.

Draconis Vantor, however, would not live to see the end of the conflict. He died young, at just 30 Earth years, during the Battle of Luminara, when a crucial geothermal power station fell into Solarin hands. His death marked a turning point in the war, as his followers became disorganized, allowing the Solarins to consolidate their power in several key regions.

But the battle took a toll on the Solarins as well. Celestra Sol herself disappeared under mysterious circumstances after the war, and her death—or disappearance—remains a point of intrigue and speculation among historians. Some believe she was assassinated by Nocturne agents, while others claim she staged her own death to avoid the political fallout of the war’s destruction.

“The Shadow Wars never truly ended,” Elavorn said, a note of bitterness in his voice. “They just... burned out. Both sides realized there could be no victory. The wars drained the planet of resources, and by the time it was over, neither the Solarins nor the Nocturnes were in any position to rule.”

The Resource Wars: A Battle for Survival

If the Shadow Wars were a battle for identity, the Resource Wars were a fight for survival. As the planet’s geothermal and solar energy sources became increasingly scarce, a new conflict erupted—this time over the control of vital energy reserves that powered the Zarumin’s twilight zone cities. Unlike the Shadow Wars, the Resource Wars were not confined to internal factions but drew in new players—outside traders and resource speculators from neighboring systems, eager to profit from Proxima b’s energy crisis.

I learned about the Resource Wars from Dr. Evelyn Carter, an energy specialist who had been working with the Zarumin in Aurorin for several Orbita. She explained that the Zarumin had been on the verge of collapse before the Geothermal Revolution, a technological leap that allowed them to tap into the deeper layers of the planet’s geothermal energy.

“The Resource Wars were brutal,” Dr. Carter said. “Entire cities were wiped out in the struggle to control the geothermal fields. The wars lasted for decades, and by the end of it, there was hardly a city left that the conflict hadn’t scarred.”

Aurorin was nearly destroyed, caught in the crossfire between rival factions claiming the city as their own. The geothermal plants that power the city today were rebuilt from the ashes of that war, a testament to the resilience of the Zarumin people but also a reminder of the high cost of survival on this planet.

One of the pivotal figures in the Resource Wars was Thalos Vuren, a Zarumin leader from Aurorin who fought to maintain control over the city’s geothermal plants. Thalos was known for his brutal tactics and relentless pursuit of victory, but it was his eventual alliance with the Solarin faction that tipped the balance in the war. His decision to share geothermal technology with the Solarins, in exchange for protection and stability, allowed the city to survive—but it also marked the beginning of Aurorin’s transformation into the industrial powerhouse it is today.

The wars may have ended, but the divisions remain. The Resource Wars forged an uneasy peace between the factions, with Thalos Vuren emerging as a controversial figure—both celebrated for saving Aurorin and condemned for the ruthless way he did it.

What the Zarumin Aren’t Saying

The deeper I dig into these wars, the more questions I find myself asking. If the Shadow Wars and Resource Wars were so destructive, why don’t the Zarumin speak about them openly? There are no public monuments, no grand memorials in the streets of Aurorin. The wars are not celebrated in their festivals, nor are they taught in schools. It’s as though the Zarumin are trying to forget—or at least hide—their past.

When I asked Elaris about this, she grew reticent. “The wars are a part of our history,” she said, “but they do not define us. We have moved beyond them.”

I wasn’t convinced. Wars that reshape entire civilizations don’t simply fade into the background. They leave scars, both physical and psychological. And the more I learn, the more I sense that these scars run deeper than anyone is willing to admit.

A Growing Sense of Intrigue

As I prepare to leave Aurorin and continue my journey across Proxima b, I can’t shake the feeling that there is more to this story than meets the eye. The Shadow Wars and Resource Wars may be over, but their effects are still being felt in subtle ways—ways that are shaping the present and possibly the future of this planet.

For all their advanced technology and apparent peace, the Zarumin are a people with secrets. What other conflicts are hidden in their history? What other truths have they chosen to conceal from the humans who now share their world? I don’t have the answers yet, but I intend to find them.

My next destination is Luminara, the cultural capital of the Zarumin. If I’m going to uncover the full story of this planet, I’ll need to delve deeper into the heart of their society. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll find someone willing to tell me the truth.

Final Thoughts: The Echoes of War

History, as they say, is written by the victors. But on Proxima Centauri b, it feels as though history hasn’t been written at all—it’s been buried. The Shadow Wars and Resource Wars are the shadows that hang over this planet, casting long, invisible lines through every city and every conversation I’ve had. I came to Proxima b to explore a new world, but I’ve found a civilization haunted by its past, struggling to maintain the veneer of peace.

As I continue my journey, I’ll carry these stories with me—stories of conflict, survival, and the secrets that lie beneath the surface. The more I learn about the Zarumin, the more I realize that the past isn’t gone—it’s just waiting to be uncovered.

And I intend to uncover it.

Julian Morraine is a celebrated travel writer, chef, and documentarian known for his relentless pursuit of the extraordinary. Julian has explored the world’s most fascinating cultures and cuisines, from the bustling markets of Marrakesh to the remote highlands of Tibet. With a passion for storytelling and a deep curiosity about the unknown, Julian’s work has taken him to the farthest corners of Earth—and now, beyond it. His latest journey to Proxima Centauri b marks a new chapter in his career as he ventures into the final frontier, searching for new experiences and untold stories.

Julian’s adventures have been chronicled in numerous best-selling books and award-winning documentaries, making him a beloved figure among those who share his love for exploration. Whether sampling street food in Bangkok or navigating the icy landscapes of Antarctica, Julian Morraine continues to inspire with his boundless enthusiasm and insatiable curiosity.