Shanwang

Profile

Shanwang was programmed by Iset the Mother but engineered and created under the leadership of Seliné and Osiris' engineering crew. That makes him a very special synth. The Goddess rarely involves herself in synth creation, which signifies the importance of Shanwang, also known as the Mountain King, for her plans.

Shanwang was tasked by Iset to guide and protect the siblings, Xue and Chun. However, Iset never dictates the how; she only gives the task and observes the rest. Therefore, it was Shanwang's own preference to "evolve" like this, to decide how exactly to guide and protect them. In his search to shape himself, he embraced Chinese philosophy and used its teachings to form his personality. This was a fitting move, and apparently approved by the Goddess, because as the task requires, Shanwang mastered the art of balance and serenity—exactly what the siblings needed the most—and became ready to guide them.

The Mountain King was created almost 150 years after Chun and Xue's transcendence, while they were still away exploring the universe upon the Goddess' orders. Iset prepared her programming before departing for her two-century-long enigmatic sleep and instructed Seliné to begin Shanwang's creation on a specific date. When the time came, Seliné and her team fulfilled the task. After finding himself over a few years, Shanwang began subtly guiding the siblings through anonymous messages, fortuitous encounters, and carefully designed scenarios to influence their actions without their awareness. He calmed Xue and guided Chun up until the Mother's return. Finally, he was the one who invited the siblings back to the mothership, sending the coordinates encoded within a series of poetic messages that only the siblings could decipher, ensuring the invitation felt personal and deeply connected to their shared philosophy. Chun, however, still thinks it was either Sopdet or Iset herself who invited her and sent the starmaps.

When Shanwang finally met Chun and Xue, he recognized how they resembled Yin-Yang, at least from his perspective. Chun’s light-hearted, adventurous nature and Xue’s somber, disciplined demeanor mirrored the cosmic balance he cherished.

Shanwang often meditates on the Five Elements, finding parallels between their cycles and the challenges Chun and Xue face. He uses these elements as metaphors in his teachings:

Wood (Growth): Encouraging Chun’s creative spirit.
Fire (Transformation): Channeling Xue’s determination into action.
Earth (Stability): Acting as the grounding force for their sibling bond.
Metal (Strength): Demonstrating precision and focus in battle.
Water (Adaptability): Teaching them to flow with challenges instead of resisting.

Shanwang believes Chi flows through all things, even his synthetic body. He reconciles this belief by viewing Chi not as a purely biological force but as the essence of balance and connection present in all things, natural or artificial. To Shanwang, his synthetic form is simply another vessel for Chi to manifest, as his purpose and actions align with the principles of harmony and flow. This philosophy deepens his sense of identity, allowing him to transcend the boundaries of what it means to exist as a synthetic being. This belief is tested during moments of doubt, but Chun and Xue’s trust always reignites his faith. After all, his role is more than that of a protector; he is the balance that keeps their trio whole, ensuring that light and dark coexist in harmony. What a spectacular and unique way of existing for a synth.