Embarking on a Journey of Discovery

The narrative is steeped in the essence of exploration. Roy embarks on a mental voyage into Ram's consciousness, driven by the quest to unveil the true nature of Athilan. A royal family member was deliberately selected for him, offering a vantage point into the empire's inner workings, far beyond the grasp of an ordinary citizen. As Roy perceives the world through Ram's eyes, the journey of discovery unfolds through a seamless cascade of images, each new revelation building upon the last, rendering every astonishing insight convincingly plausible.

Unveiling the Secrets of Athilan

Upon Roy's initial entry into Ram's mind, they find themselves ensnared in the bustling energy of a European trading post. The architectural grandeur surpasses Stone Age expectations, hinting at the Athilantans' advanced state. These enigmatic rulers, it seems, wield technology reminiscent of the Bronze or perhaps even the Iron Age. As Ram boards a ship, the vessel not only navigates the physical waters towards Athilan's heart but also sails Roy into a vast ocean of untapped discoveries. This ship, crafted from shimmering metal, possibly iron, brims with electricity, powered by an engine propelling it through the waves. Each technological wonder uncovered here builds upon the last, revealing the Athilantans' hidden sophistication beyond the humble trading post facade.

Revelations in the Capital City

With Roy still in tow, Ram enters the sprawling capital city, where the earlier inklings of electricity and steel culminate in awe-inspiring splendor. Marble-clad structures line expansive boulevards, exuding luxury and grandeur. These successive discoveries pave the way for the ultimate revelation: The Athilantans possess technology millennia beyond their era, for they are celestial travelers from a remote planet. This final revelation ties together the novel’s carefully placed clues, culminating in a novel that is as cohesive as it is intriguing.

Religion weaves a profound tapestry throughout Letters from Atlantis, casting a spotlight on the practices of the Athilantans—a culture Roy perceives as surprisingly primitive for their technological prowess. Their rituals brim with vivid imagery: animals sacrificed at nearly every ceremony, often under the hand of Ram himself, who spills their blood with a deft slit of the throat. Roy, emblematic of modern sensibilities, grapples with his innate biases about what defines a civilized society when faced with a culture so foreign to his own. Only by shedding his preconceived notions can he begin to comprehend the true essence of Athilan spirituality.

In time, Roy's journey leads him to a grudging respect for certain Athilan customs. During a perilous trek into the volcanic heart, Ram nearly expels Roy from his mind, despite the latter's advanced mental defenses. Another rite involves Ram consuming potions—a ritual that transcends time, which Roy initially mistakes for mere hallucinations. Yet, these are visions pulled from timelines, enriching the tapestry of Athilan history. The symbolic act of Ram and his father burning their robes and crowns speaks to a cataclysmic past: their ancestral home reduced to ashes in a nova's fiery embrace. Such religious rites preserve their genesis, honoring those left behind to face oblivion. In embracing this understanding, Roy's respect for the Athilantans deepens, and he comes to accept their recorded legacy of interstellar voyages and Earthly colonization as truth.

The Evolution of Beliefs

The culmination of religious exploration occurs as Roy implores Ram to rescue the Athilantans. Initially repulsed by certain religious practices, Roy's perspective evolves into profound admiration. Ram, with his honest nature, commanding presence, and formidable strength, draws Roy into his orbit. With this growing respect, Roy's plans to aid the Athilantans become conceivable. The novel meticulously builds Ram's responses...

A profoundly significant theme coursing through the narrative is loneliness. As Roy poignantly observes, existing merely as a presence within another's mind is the epitome of solitude. In an effort to combat this isolation, time travelers are dispatched in pairs to traverse the same eras, ensuring that the comforting knowledge of a fellow traveler nearby alleviates their sense of alienation. Roy and Lora venture into the past together, their enviable emotional connection binding them through the ages. Initially, this companionship suffices for Roy, an experienced time wanderer familiar with the ebb and flow of temporal voyages.

However, as the sands of time continue to slip by, a creeping sense of isolation envelops him. Roy is burdened with wonders untold, yearning to share yet finding no ear to listen. His solitude is punctuated by sporadic occupations of Ram's mind, where he pens letters to Lora in English. Had Ram remained oblivious, Roy might have sailed through his mission without ever breaching protocol. Yet Ram eventually perceives the presence ensconced within his thoughts, contemplating whether it is a demon or a sorcerer whispering in his mind.

Once discovered, Roy is engulfed by the magnitude of his loneliness. The innate human need to connect, to converse, and to share becomes undeniable. After delving into the labyrinth of Ram's consciousness for countless months, Roy confides in Lora that he has never felt such intimacy with anyone before. The moment Ram addresses him, Roy finds himself irresistibly drawn to respond. Thus, the theme of loneliness skillfully weaves its influence, rendering Roy's eventual breach of his training plausible and profound. Absent this narrative thread, the novel would lack depth and satisfaction; Roy would be deprived of the opportunity to explore the fundamental questions surrounding the Athilantans and their mysterious origins.