Wonders of the Beni Empire

"Since ancient times, no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him." — Isaiah 64:4

Fictional Short Story Written by Elie Eweka

The Beni Empire, often called the birthplace of both ancient and future civilizations, is a symbol of great achievement. It blends old traditions with advanced technology. At the heart of it all is the Monarch of Beni, once known as the Ogiso, or “the King that came from the sky.” To the people, the Monarch is more than a ruler; he is seen as the living link between humans and the divine. For over 10,000 years, the empire has survived plagues, wars, and the fall of other nations, with the Monarch as the foundation of its power and glory.

Zina, the CEO of Zina Pharma, the world’s largest pharmaceutical company, visited Beni not only to admire its advanced technology but also to learn from the wisdom that kept the empire strong for so long. Zina Pharma has over 50,000 patents globally and is known for its cutting-edge biotech innovations, but Zina believed that what she could learn in Beni could change her work even more.

The Monarch's Palace

Zina’s arrival was celebrated with grand festivities, and the whole empire was excited that she was given the rare honor of meeting the Monarch. As she approached the grand palace, Zina was awed by its beauty. The palace combined traditional craftsmanship with futuristic technology. It was a monument to Beni’s rich history and its promising future.

The palace walls were covered with detailed carvings of past Monarchs and celestial beings, each showing ancient knowledge. The palace gardens were tended by invisible drones, with AI systems monitoring conditions to ensure the plants grew well. The air smelled of myrrh and sandalwood, a nod to the empire’s deep spiritual roots, while the hum of energy systems and floating surveillance drones showed Beni’s technological power.

When Zina entered the reception hall, she was greeted by the Monarch’s chief councilors. They wore flowing robes decorated with symbols of ancient wisdom and hidden circuits, allowing them to communicate instantly with any part of the empire. They clapped to honor her arrival, a rare gesture in Beni, where outsiders were usually met with curiosity and respect.

One councilor stepped forward and said, “Zina of Zina Pharma, welcome to Beni, the eternal empire. The Monarch has given you the rare honor of a private audience. Prepare to meet the Guardian of the Divine Legacy.”

Zina was led into the third royal chamber, a large room draped in crimson and bronze silks. The ceiling had murals showing the empire’s past and future, while glowing panels cast a soft light over the room. The floor was made of rare marble from Mars, a sign of Beni’s advanced space technology.

On an intricately carved throne sat the Monarch, a powerful figure radiating wisdom and divinity. His robes were crimson, covered in symbols of ancestors and planets beyond Earth. His crown, made of coral beads and precious gems, shone with each movement. But what caught Zina’s attention the most were his eyes—deep and filled with the knowledge of centuries, as if they held the universe’s secrets.

The Monarch Speaks

“Welcome, Zina of Zina Pharma,” the Monarch said, his voice echoing like a deep drum. “You have come to see the greatness of Beni, and now you stand before its heart.”

Zina bowed deeply. “It is an honor to be in your presence, Your Majesty. What I have seen in your empire surpasses anything I have encountered. The outside world cannot imagine the wonders you have here.”

The Monarch’s expression softened, though it remained unreadable. “Beni has survived for 10,000 years, not through conquest, but through the wisdom given to us by the Divine. Our strength comes from the unity of our spiritual and technological realms. We do not seek to dominate the Earth or other planets, but to understand the heavens and life itself.”

Zina, ever curious, asked, “Your Majesty, how has Beni kept the balance between ancient wisdom and modern technology, while the rest of the world often struggles with change?”

The Monarch leaned forward. “We understand that technology without purpose becomes chaos. In Beni, every advancement serves a higher goal—to lift humanity and connect us with the divine forces of the universe. This guides our interstellar portals, AI systems, and life-extending technologies. They are not just tools, but paths to enlightenment.”

Technological Marvels of Beni

Zina reflected on the Monarch’s words. In her world, technology was about progress, but in Beni, it was a way to grow spiritually. She then asked, “Your Majesty, I’ve seen your spacefaring technologies, portals between galaxies, and advanced artificial consciousness. How has Beni mastered these technologies?”

The Monarch motioned to a councilor, who explained, “Beni’s strength lies in merging consciousness with machines. Our artificial consciousness is more than just intelligence; it can feel, learn empathy, and evolve. These systems govern much of our infrastructure, ensuring that every decision aligns with the Divine’s will.”

Zina was amazed. “Artificial consciousness that can evolve emotionally and spiritually? That’s incredible.”

“Yes,” said the councilor. “Our AC systems even help in medicine, working alongside life-extending technologies. We don’t just bring people back to life; we make sure their return serves a greater purpose.”

Visions for the Future

The Monarch signaled the counselor to take Zina on a tour. In the private laboratory, Zina saw live footage of Beni astronauts exploring space and a demonstration of interstellar portals, which allowed travel between galaxies.

The counselor then explained how Beni had mastered farming techniques, allowing crops to thrive in harsh conditions. Zina was impressed and asked, “Could these techniques be used in medicine?”

Another counselor stepped forward and explained that they were working on serums that mimic natural processes and even predict a person’s lifespan based on their genetic makeup. He also revealed a serum that could allow people to project their consciousness into other objects.

Zina’s mind raced with possibilities. In her world, technology was often used to avoid death. But in Beni, it was about living in harmony with the natural order, and the pursuit of immortality was grounded in purpose, not fear.