The Eternal Champion
The more fantasy I read, the more I really enjoy how versatile it is as a medium. I'm also coming to appreciate how some of the best fantasy blurs the boundaries between itself and science fiction. I just finished reading The Eternal Champion, a novella by Michael Moorcock, and was fascinated by the idea behind the world in which the story is set. The story was set in the far distant future on a planet populated by The Eldar, a beautiful alien species whose motivations seem completely devoid of ego, and humanity. Humanity is locked in a war of extermination against the Eldar. The Eldar possess advanced scientific knowledge which is equivalent to sorcery. I liked the idea of a vast human diaspora populating isolated planets scattered throughout the universe. Their ultimate origin on Earth at that point was more the stuff of legend, mythology and obscure scholarship than any common knowledge. Their technology devolved to a mostly medieval level. The Eternal Champion is ultimately a cynical and tragic story of humanity's inhumanity, and ends with Erekose, the Ethernal Champion, changing his allegiance, bringing to bear the full strength of the Eldarin technology, and embarking on a genocidal offense against humanity so that the benevolent Eldar, who would not use their technology themselves, can once again live in peace. Even so, it wasn't the hate fueled, over the top, rock and roll fabulousness of Elric. Instead, The Eternal Champion was more introspective, quieter, and brooding. It was written in first person, stream of consciousness and detailed the thinking of Erekose, as he wrestles desperately with his obligation to serve dishonorable masters. He ultimately chooses to destroy them all.