The First Bridge

First Contact at Year 40

The historic event in which The Canopy Isles and The Root Realm made first official contact 40 years after The Great Fall. The world had been torn apart for 40 years; both sides had only gazed at each other from a distance through the mist, never exchanging words.

The Descent of Val Aether

It began when Val Aether — a Canopy technician who had independently developed the rope-road technology that would become the prototype for Wind Bridges — descended alone to the surface of The Root Realm. The Root Realm side was initially wary, treating this as the vanguard of an invasion and capturing Val. But one elder who saw the technical document about Aether Crystal buoyancy principles — a "glowing stone tablet" — that Val brought along judged this was not a weapon and arranged for negotiations.

Val disclosed Canopy Aether communication technology, the Root Realm side disclosed mycelium medical technology, and the foundation for a formal trade treaty was created. This technology exchange became the cornerstone of Rakuen's current prosperity.

A Hero's Tale Told in Contrasting Ways

Val is subsequently lionized in both sides, but the manner of telling differs entirely. In The Canopy Isles it is told as a hero's tale — "one brave technician connected the world." In The Root Realm it is told as "the achievement of a wise elder who saw through the enemy's envoy and drew out equal negotiation." It is a historical example demonstrating how the same event becomes entirely different stories.

The Gap Called Val's Disappearance

Val Aether's records hold an interesting gap. About 3 years after the First Bridge, he suddenly disappears from historical records. Canopy official records state only a single line: "fulfilled their heavenly calling." The Memory of the Earth in The Root Realm contains no records of Val at all. On this gap, Mist Trading Company internal tradition says: "Val entered The Mist Sea and never returned." Why he chose to disappear into The Mist Sea — that reason remains in neither side's records.

The First Bridge was realized because both sides had each reached their limits. In The Canopy Isles food crises had become serious; in The Root Realm communication was deteriorating from Aether Crystal shortages. The fortunate coincidence that each side's weakness perfectly complemented the other's strength made the world's reconnection possible. This structure of "connection through mutual weakness" fundamentally defines the relationship between the two civilizations to this day.