In a time long past, when shadows yet whispered,
A man unknown, his heart eclipsed by ire,
Cried out to skies, his voice a tempest's thunder,
"Mahedhras, thou fiend, thou wielder of fire!
Thy hands have wrought a world too far altered,
Thy dreams conceived amidst the realms forbidden,
Yet we remain, our fates by thy whims tethered,
Entwined in threads of secrets, dark and hidden."
Anonymous
First century MA
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4522 MA
Helnit Mountain Range, Rovos, Kartas
Vyas and Maya emerged from the forest into a picturesque clearing. A gentle breeze caressed Maya's hair, carrying with it the delicate scent of wildflowers and the soothing murmur of a babbling brook nearby. Before them, nestled amidst the towering peaks, stood a small yet elegant temple, its wooden beams and magnificent carvings a living memory of its long-forgotten builders.
Maya tilted her head back, her eyes following the graceful lines of the temple's columns as they reached skyward, their silhouettes framed by the azure canvas of the heavens. "It's beautiful," she whispered, her voice filled with awe.
Vyas nodded in agreement, a sense of peace and contentment washing over him as he took in the simple beauty before them. "That it is," he concurred, his thoughts drifting back to the stories and legends that had led them to this sacred place. "I can see why the Prior recommended we visit this temple."
Maya's eyes sparkled with excitement as she gazed at the ancient structure, her fingers tracing the unpainted wooden pillars with reverence. "It's hard to believe that this was once the home of the dragon Zarytvi," she mused, her voice tinged with wonder. "Can you imagine what it must have been like to attend Auberon back then? Just watching a dragon traveling around campus conducting research?"
Vyas shook his head, his mind conjuring images of the mighty dragon, its massive form flying through the sky, its eyes aglow with the knowledge of the world. "It must have been awe-inspiring," he replied, his voice low and reverent. "The intelligence of such a being... it's almost beyond comprehension."
As they approached the temple's entrance, the soft melody of wind chimes greeted them, harmonizing with the whispers of the breeze and the distant sighs of the mountains. The air was cool and crisp, a welcome respite from the heat of the city they had left behind.
Maya stepped across the threshold, her eyes widening as she took in the serene beauty of the temple's interior. The walls were filled with delicate reliefs, their vibrant colors narrating the story of Zarytvi's life and his many accomplishments. In the center of the temple stood a simple altar, a single candle flickering amidst a sea of fragrant flowers and offerings left by previous visitors.
Vyas followed her inside, his footsteps echoing softly on the polished wooden floor. "Being up here in the mountains, surrounded by all this nature... it's almost like being back home," he said, a wistful smile playing at the corners of his lips.
Maya glanced at him, her eyes warm and understanding. "It is, isn't it?" she agreed, reaching out to squeeze his hand. "Perhaps we can come back here whenever either of us starts feeling homesick."
Vyas smiled in return, his heart swelling with gratitude for the friendship and support that they had always shared. "I'd like that," he murmured, his voice soft and filled with emotion.
Together, they ventured out into the courtyard, its tranquility a balm for their weary souls. The area was devoid of people, the only sounds the whisper of the wind and the distant melody of birdsong. Entranced by the beauty surrounding them, they decided to spend some quiet time in the courtyard. Maya settled down on a soft patch of grass, closing her eyes as she began to cultivate, her breathing slow and even.
Vyas eased himself down beside Maya, his back finding comfort against the gnarled trunk of an ancient tree. He inhaled deeply, the heady fragrance of the blossoms that surrounded them weaving its way into his senses. His eyes drifted closed as he consciously directed his focus inward, striving to attune himself to the subtle currents of ambient mana that swirled through the air around him.
At the onset, Vyas could only discern the general concentration of mana in their immediate vicinity, a gentle thrum of energy that seemed to resonate in time with his heartbeat. With unwavering concentration, he expanded his reach, tracing the delicate undulations of mana as they waxed and waned like the ebb and flow of the ocean. He perceived the graceful sway of the branches above him, the hushed rustling of leaves as they were stirred by the breeze, each movement leaving faint ripples in the vast sea of mana.
As Vyas deciphered the flow of the mana around him, his mind's eye gradually constructed a mental map of an ever-widening area. He meticulously mapped the mana in and around the courtyard, while the rhythmic pulse of his heartbeat served as a metronome, marking the passage of time.
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As his awareness broadened, Vyas became aware of voids within his mental map. The absence of mana signified the presence of living organisms, imbued with prana energy, which repelled mana. Such living beings cast mana shadows on a mage's mana map. Vyas felt a surge of satisfaction as he swiftly identified the sources of each shadow; the stationary ones were plants, the nimble ones that traversed a larger shadow were squirrels darting through the branches, and the tiny ones high above were birds soaring through the courtyard. His true challenge lay in detecting insects, as his senses were not yet honed enough to discern their minuscule presences. Nonetheless, each living entity, no matter how small, pulsed with prana energy. Vyas needed only to catch a fleeting glimpse of their shadows to confirm their existence, refining his skills with each discovery.
Simultaneously, he continued to extend his general awareness outward, albeit at a painstakingly slow pace. With each deep breath, it felt as though a veil was lifting, unveiling more and more of the world around him. However, he also found it increasingly difficult to maintain his focus, as the cacophony of mana signatures threatened to overwhelm his senses. The lines between his own presence and the world around him began to blur, and Vyas struggled to maintain his sense of self in the face of such an onslaught of sensations.
Recognizing his limits, he decided to withdraw and relax, considering it a day of fruitful practice. Upon opening his eyes, he noted the sun's position and realized that several hours had passed since he began. Glancing over to his right, he saw that Maya was no longer cultivating beside him. Rising, he decided to meander through the temple grounds in search of her.
The soft whisper of Vyas' footsteps echoed throughout the temple's quiet halls as he walked, his curiosity guiding him forward. Rounding a corner, his eyes caught sight of Maya's familiar figure, standing amidst the verdant temple garden, deep in conversation with an elderly woman. Her wrinkled visage bore the marks of a life well-lived, and she exuded an aura of wisdom and serenity. A large, wooden bucket rested next to her feet, its contents half-spilled, a testament to her dedication to the flourishing greenery that enveloped them.
As Vyas approached, Maya noticed his presence and waved him over with a warm smile. "Vyas, join us," she beckoned.
Quickening his pace, Vyas reached the pair, his interest piqued. Maya gestured towards the old woman, her eyes shining with excitement. "Vyas, this is Nari."
Nari extended her gnarled hand towards Vyas, her grip strong and steady despite her advanced age. "Greetings, young one," she greeted him, her voice rich and welcoming. "It's always a pleasure to meet visitors to our humble temple."
Vyas bowed his head respectfully, meeting Nari's gaze, which held a depth of knowledge that belied her simple appearance. "It's an honor to meet you, Nari," he responded, his voice filled with genuine admiration.
Maya's eyes flickered between the two, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Nari has been the caretaker of this temple and its garden for countless years," she explained, her voice brimming with affection for the elderly woman. "She was sharing some captivating stories about the great dragon Zarytvi."
Vyas's eyes widened, intrigued by the mention of the legendary dragon. "Really? I've been reading about Zarytvi in the history of these lands. I would be grateful if you could answer a question I have that I can't quite understand."
Nari let out a gentle chuckle, the sound reminiscent of leaves rustling in a soft breeze. "Of course, young one. I am always happy to share the stories and knowledge I have gathered over the years," Nari replied, her eyes twinkling with the eagerness of a seasoned storyteller. "Ask away, and I shall do my best to help you understand."
Vyas smiled gratefully and began, "From what I've read, Zarytvi was deeply invested in learning more about the world and the nature of its different energies. He chose to reside in these mountains to collaborate with the mages in pursuit of that knowledge. Their combined efforts led to significant discoveries that impressed everyone involved. However, he departed after only a century, leaving just as they were making some of the most groundbreaking advances. Considering dragons have incredibly long lifespans and his primary motivation was to learn, why would he leave when there was still so much to accomplish?"
Nari regarded Vyas thoughtfully, "That is a keen observation and an astute question. While it is true that Zarytvi's time in these mountains was a period of immense learning and growth for both him and the mages, there was a deeper reason behind his departure—one that is rooted in the very nature of dragons themselves."
Vyas and Maya exchanged a curious glance before focusing their full attention on Nari, eager to hear her explanation.
Nari took a deep breath, her eyes momentarily distant, as if reaching back through time to unearth the tale she was about to share. "Dragons are beings of extremity," she began. "Endowed with immense power, an almost eternal lifespan, extraordinary intelligence, and the wisdom to balance it all, they possess innate characteristics that only amplify with age. Dragons have no known true weaknesses, making them, arguably, the epitome of perfection in a living being. As a result, they take everything to excess, surpassing human comprehension. They feast like kings, slumber for years, and leave only ash in the wake of their battles. When a dragon befriends someone, that person is truly blessed."
"The collaboration between the mages and Zarytvi led to remarkable achievements, bringing him immense joy. Records show that he delighted in working alongside those he considered close friends. However, a dragon's vast lifespan means that a human's life is but a fleeting moment in comparison," Nari explained, her tone gentle and measured. "And remember, Zarytvi's time here was nearly a millennium ago when mages lived much shorter lives than they do now, barely living for half as long as a normal human."
Vyas and Maya listened intently, their eyes wide with fascination.
Nari continued, "To Zarytvi, the mages' short lifespan meant that he was constantly watching his close friends pass away. The groundbreaking work they were doing began to pale in comparison to the grief he was slowly experiencing. The pain of losing his friends, one after another, overshadowed the joy he found in their discoveries and accomplishments."
As Nari spoke, Vyas could feel the weight of Zarytvi's sorrow, the burden of immortal life pressing down upon the great dragon. It made him wonder if the pursuit of power and knowledge was worth the pain and loss it could bring.
Nari looked into the eyes of the young cultivators, her voice soft with the wisdom of ages. "And so, Zarytvi made the heart-wrenching decision to leave Rovos and the friends he cherished, seeking solace in the endless skies. He hoped that by distancing himself from the world of mortals, he could find some measure of peace and healing. It must have been an incredibly difficult decision, but in the end, he believed it was the only way to ease the burden of his immortal heart."