Chapter 178 Chapter 178 - Lost tomb
[A/N: Sorry for dumping lore after lore, Sob~Sob~]
Long ago, in a time of unparalleled peace, the world thrived in harmony. There were no wars, no struggles for power, only unity among its people.
This golden age owed its brilliance to a figure of unmatched reverence, a man whose very existence seemed to embody the ideals of this serene era.
He was a being without equal, celebrated like a deity by kings and commoners alike. From the most powerful rulers to the humblest villagers, all turned to him with unwavering faith.
His wisdom and deeds defied mortal comprehension, elevating the world to heights it had never known.
Wherever he walked, prosperity followed. Arid deserts bloomed into lush green landscapes, and despair turned to joy in his wake.
Under his influence, cities flourished, and the world basked in a golden glow of enlightenment. Stories of his miracles spread far and wide, cementing his place as a symbol of unity and hope.
His followers, countless in number, cherished his presence, their faith as unyielding as the mountains.
But as with all things, peace was fleeting. Fate, in its cruel unpredictability, dealt a devastating blow.
One day, the great figure was struck by an illness unlike any the world had seen. It was a sickness that defied understanding, resisting the remedies of the most skilled healers and alchemists.
His divinity, once thought eternal, began to waver under the relentless weight of this mysterious affliction.
On his deathbed, surrounded by tearful followers, he spoke his final words, a plea that revealed his enduring love for the world and the depths of his fear.
His voice, though weakened, resonated with purpose.
"Take me to a place where no light shines, where no soul dares to tread. Bury me far from the living, in the deepest shadows. I fear this illness might spread and bring ruin to the world I have cherished."
The day of his passing was marked by profound sorrow.
The skies darkened as if mourning with the countless souls below.
His funeral became a moment of unity, the world standing together in grief. The loss of such a figure was a reminder of mortality's reach, even over the mightiest.
Honoring his wish, a select group of loyal followers carried his body to a place untouched by light.
This was no ordinary burial; it was a journey into a realm shrouded in perpetual darkness, a land where even the boldest feared to tread.
There, in the heart of the unknown, they laid him to rest, concealing his grave from the eyes of the world.
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Only those entrusted with the task knew the location, and they swore never to reveal it.
And so, the world's guiding light was extinguished. His absence marked the end of an era, and the golden age he had nurtured began to fade.
Without him, the world felt emptier, his loss an irreplaceable void. His name, however, lived on in legend.
His deeds were etched into the annals of history, told and retold by generations who longed for the peace he had brought.
Yet, his final resting place remained a mystery. Hidden in the shadows, it became a symbol of his last selfless act, a gesture to protect the world from an unseen threat.
In the years that followed, the world continued to speak of him. His miracles, his wisdom, and his sacrifice became tales of inspiration.
Pilgrims sought the location of his grave, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man who had once shaped their world. But it was secret, the chosen few who had buried him taking it to their graves.
Though his presence was gone, his impact endured. The lessons he imparted and the harmony he fostered left an indelible mark on the world.
And in the farthest reaches of shadow, where no light dared to intrude, his grave rested, silent and unseen, a witness to the life he lived and the sacrifice he made.
…
Time marched on, unyielding and relentless, erasing the memories of a once harmonious world.
Centuries passed, civilizations rose and fell, and the peace that had once defined the golden era became a distant dream.
The unity brought forth by the revered figure fractured, leaving behind a world consumed by strife.
Wars raged across lands, kingdoms crumbled under the weight of ambition, and the tranquility he had fostered faded into legend.
His loyal followers, heartbroken by his passing and disheartened by the world's descent into chaos, chose their own paths of retreat.
They abandoned the mortal realm, seeking refuge in hidden sanctuaries untouched by conflict.
These secluded havens became islands of wisdom and peace, but in isolating themselves, the followers severed ties with the world they had once vowed to guide.
Yet, no one, not even those closest to divinity, could escape the passage of time.
The disciples who had walked beside the revered figure, who had seen his miracles and carried the weight of his legacy, eventually succumbed to mortality.
Their extraordinary gifts could not defy the inevitability of death.
One by one, they faded from the world, leaving behind a lineage of knowledge passed down to their descendants.
The secret of the revered figure's burial site, guarded so fiercely by those entrusted with it, vanished along with them.
No scrolls documented its location, and no maps bore its mark. What remained were fragmented stories, handed down through generations.
Over time, these tales were warped by imagination and distorted by retellings, leaving behind only faint echoes of the truth.
The revered figure himself became a myth, his deeds immortalized in the annals of history but reshaped by the beliefs and ambitions of those who clung to his legacy.
His image shifted with each retelling, growing grander or more mysterious as the ages passed.
His resting place, once a sacred trust, became an enigma lost beneath the sands of time.
Devoid of its guiding light, the world spiraled deeper into turmoil.
Conflict consumed nations, greed drove men to unspeakable acts, and the people, burdened by suffering, yearned for a savior.
They longed for a figure of unparalleled strength and wisdom to rise above the chaos and restore the unity they had lost.
During those times, rumors began to circulate in hidden corners of the world, tales too tempting to ignore.
These stories spoke of a forbidden secret tied to the revered figure from centuries past.
It was said that within his remains lay the key to ultimate power, an essence capable of granting immortality and elevating its possessor to the status of a god among men.
The allure of such power ignited a fever across the lands. Emperors dispatched trusted envoys, kings rallied their armies, and treasure hunters scoured forgotten ruins.
Adventurers flocked to the call, driven by ambition, desperation, or dreams of glory.
Each sought the fabled grave, their minds filled with visions of unimaginable strength and eternal life.
But the grave's location remained elusive, as hidden as the secrets it was said to hold. Clues led to dead ends, and legends contradicted one another.
Expeditions ventured into uncharted lands, only to disappear without a trace.
Years stretched into decades, and the fervor of the pursuit dwindled.
Time, ever indifferent, swallowed the ambitions of countless seekers.
The world moved on, leaving behind only faint rumors of those who had chased the myth.
…
In a peaceful valley surrounded by towering mountains, a small village thrived in quiet isolation, untouched by the chaos of the outside world.
The villagers led simple lives, tending their fields and living by traditions passed down through generations. It was a place where time seemed to move slower.
In an open field just beyond the village, a boy with bright, curious eyes ran through the tall grass, his laughter ringing in the air.
Behind him, a girl his age chased after him, her steps quick.
"You won't catch me!" the boy called, glancing back with a teasing grin.
"Just watch!" the girl shot back, her voice brimming with confidence.
The game carried them toward the edge of the village, where the forest loomed like a quiet guardian. Its towering trees cast long shadows, their dense canopy making it a place both mysterious and forbidden.
As the boy neared the forest's edge, a firm voice broke through the calm.
"Stop right there!"
The boy skidded to a halt, giving the girl just enough time to tag his shoulder. She let out a triumphant cheer, her laughter echoing around them.
"I win! Now it's your turn!"
Their playful moment was cut short as they turned toward the source of the voice.
An older man stood nearby, his weathered face set in a stern expression. His simple clothes and the staff in his hand marked him as a farmer, but the authority in his tone left no room for argument.
"You shouldn't be near the forest," the man said, his sharp gaze fixed on the boy.
The boy looked up at him, a spark of curiosity lighting his eyes. "Father, why can't we go into the forest? You always say it's our job to guard it, but you never tell me what's inside."
The man's stern expression softened, but there was an unease behind his weathered features. "That's because I don't know, son. None of us do. Our ancestors entrusted us with the task of protecting this place, and we honor their wishes. That's all there is to it."
"But how can we guard something if we don't even know what it is?" the boy pressed, glancing toward the dark woods.
The man sighed, shaking his head. "The elders taught us to watch, not to interfere. Whatever lies beyond those trees isn't for us to discover. It's a responsibility, not an invitation. You must respect that."
The boy frowned, his eyes lingering on the forest. There was something about the place that called to him, a pull he couldn't explain.
As the conversation hung in the air, the girl tugged at the boy's sleeve.
"Come on," she urged, sensing the tension. "We're going to get in trouble if we don't go back."
The older man gestured toward the village path. "Your mother is waiting. Let's go."
Reluctantly, the boy turned, casting one last glance at the forest.
As he stepped away, his small hand brushed the bark of a tree at the edge of the woods. It felt warm, oddly warm, like it was alive and pulsing with energy.
The sensation sent a shiver up his spine, and for a moment, he froze.
"Someday," he murmured under his breath, too quietly for his father or the girl to hear. "I'll find out what's in there."