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Last Song of the Nation

dai9999
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Synopsis
A forgotten kingdom. A sacred vow. A journey home across centuries. Centuries ago, the fate of a young Vietnamese noblewoman became entwined with the rise and fall of the Champa kingdom. Her name was Thanh Mai—a girl of silken grace and iron spirit, whose heart beat with forbidden love and a fierce loyalty to truth. Her story was nearly lost… until one man dared to follow its echo. In modern-day California, Kien Quoc—a quiet Vietnamese-American engineer—receives his father’s dying wish: return to Vietnam and uncover the roots of their family’s past. His journey leads him into the heart of central Vietnam, where sacred towers sleep beneath moss and myth, and where the memory of Champa lingers in song, stone, and silence. Guided by dreams and joined by Sari, a Balinese journalist equally devoted to Southeast Asia’s lost civilizations, Kien stumbles upon a revelation that challenges history, identity, and the very idea of nationhood. Along the way, they unearth a secret chamber beneath the holy valley of My Son—and within it, a truth that changes everything. Told in sweeping, poetic prose, Last Song of the Nation weaves together two timelines: the fall of Champa through the eyes of a young woman trapped between war and destiny, and a contemporary quest for heritage, love, and healing. At its core lies a question that haunts generations: What do we owe the past, and what can it still teach us today? This is a novel of memory and migration, of culture and compassion, of spirits that never die and songs that still carry across the wind.
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Chapter 1 - Preface

Migration is a timeless chapter in the story of humanity.

 Since the earliest days, people have journeyed in search of new lands—seeking better lives, safer homes, and brighter futures. This desire is both natural and noble.

Yet, the relationship between natives and newcomers has long been a point of tension and reflection—especially today, in an age where technology and transportation have made the world more connected than ever before.

I was born and raised on a land that once belonged to the ancient kingdom of Champa.

 Perhaps the blood of that lost civilization still flows quietly within me, calling me to remember, to seek, and to write about this sacred place.

Time, along with the harsh winds of history, has swept away many of Champa's traces. To rebuild its story is a daunting challenge—but one I feel compelled to undertake.

 Through this book, I hope to offer a first step toward rediscovering a brilliant civilization whose echoes still whisper through the present day.

I am deeply grateful—to God, to my loved ones who have passed on, and especially to my two fathers, who shaped me in ways words cannot fully express.

 To my two mothers, whose compassion and sacrifice nourished my spirit, I owe more than I can say.

 To my extended family, dear friends, and companions who stood by me throughout this journey—thank you.

 Above all, I offer my love and deepest gratitude to my wife and children, who have been my constant source of encouragement, strength, and inspiration.

As an IT engineer, I understand the risks that accompany the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.

 And yet, I also recognize its remarkable potential. In writing this novel, AI became an unexpected companion—helping me find the words I sometimes lacked, filling emotional gaps, and offering insight where historical records fell short.

To all who read this, I hope you will find not just a story, but a glimpse into a past that still breathes beneath the surface of our modern world.

Duy Xuyen, December 4th, 2024

 Hung Thinh