Prologue Part 1: Forgotten City
"Do you think this is the right way?" asked old man past his 60s, in a quiet voice.
"How, in seventh hell, should I know?" the voice answered in an angry, but also quiet voice.
"By a smell? An intuition? I'm fine with anything, otherwise we will wander this insanely huge forgotten city forever and I'm not getting any younger, you know. We have been here for weeks, but we still don't know even the name of this city. How can such advanced and beautiful city not be mentioned in any books, tales or even myths? "
"You're great adventurer and historian, Jamiteus, but even you don't hold all the answers."
They were walking through the street of empty city, hidden from the world under the mountain Tianmen. The old man is a genius with free-spirited soul by the name of Jamiteus. He is known far and wide in a world as historian, royal adviser to several kings, inventor, painter and adventurer. He has brown eyes, high cheekbones with deep scar under his left eye to his ear. His grey hair reached his shoulders. He is dressed in simple traveling clothes- red tunic, brown vest and coat, black pants and boots.
His companion is a grey wolf, almost as old as he is, by the name of Rakie. Rakie was a bit larger than average grey wolf. They have been companions ever since Jamiteus in his teens saved Rakie from human hunters, who killed Rakie's mother and wanted to do the same to Rakie, even though he still was a puppy.
They turned left to the main street. Although the city must have been abandoned several thousand years ago, city wasn't badly damaged, just some cracks on the walls, weed growing through the bricks. The most damage city received was from over growing trees too close to buildings. With some small repairs city could be made livable right away for at least a million residents, if there was a need for it. But the city is too advanced, makes you wonder about the people who lived here. And how come no one knew of this city and its inhabitants.
The buildings on the main street all had at least 4 floors and the highest had 8 floors, decorated with different ornaments, mostly in blue and green, with large round windows and half-oval balconies. All the roads in city were paved with setts and every stone had either something written or drawn on it. Most writings and drawings looked like done by children.
Most of the buildings had statues made of hepatizon and corinthian bronze in front of them, from mice, cats and dogs, to warriors, beautiful women and craftsmen, to elves, dragons and hybrids. But none were taller than 3 or 4 meters.
The sight was mesmerizing and breathtaking.
Most buildings had shops in the first floors, but it was hard to guess what kind of shop it was because writings above the shop wasn't in any known language to Jamiteus or even similar, but he was able to guess the shops’ identity when he entered, although most things were missing.
They turned right and soon entered part of the city filled with old city ruins.
Ruins consisted of broken apart wall of stone, originally 20 meters tall and 4 meters thick, castle with 13 towers made of white marble and semi-precious stones like actinolite, which are all green and heliotrope, also known as bloodstone, green with red or yellow spots, amphitheatre built in semicircle, 5 large buildings looking like marquees (large tents, about 45m wide), but were of blue bricks and glass ceiling. There were also various residential buildings and small shops of many shapes and colours.
They were looking for mausoleum and they did so from the third day they found this city, all because of writing on a wall in the castle's throne room which was in a language Jamiteus learnt in university, known as ancient script of rulers. Message terrified him so much that ever since then; they were looking for this mausoleum without rest and only few hours of sleep.
Message: "Whoever is reading this, beware, soon after eclipse of fate, darkness and despair will overtake everything. Look for mausoleum with a symbol of truth. May gods bless your stupid souls. Truth seeker, king of mortals of the kingdom Napertha, Graggo the Merciless."
Prologue Part 2: Different World and the Storm of the Century
"Honey, don't cry. Be strong. Overcome hunger. I'm begging you to listen closely to my story; all bad things will go away. You don't believe me?" asked old granny with warm smile on her face. She had grey hair with some red mixed in; she was very thin with simple old grey dress reaching her ankles. On her lap was sitting a boy about 5 years old with black short hair with some red mixed in, he too was unhealthy thin.
"I believe you, granny!" boy almost shouted with tears in his eyes, granny was his world, his guardian and he loved her dearly. He was afraid that she would think that he didn't believe her. How could he? Without her, he would have been dead long ago, he knew that much.
"Good." She kissed boy's forehead, wrapped more tightly her arms around the boy to keep him warm from the cold.
"Now listen closely, my little warrior, as I'll start to tell you a story about amazing world of Diakazia..."
~~~*****~~~
Rari woke up sweating with tears in his eyes.
"A dream?" murmured Rari.
He was in his small one bedroom apartment in a very old building that looked like it will collapse any moment now or if someone sneezed too loudly. Rari was 20 years old, skinny with average height, pale skin, blue eyes with little red and dark hair also with little red. He had tattoo on the back of his neck. Circle with strange markings in it.
Rari got up, quickly washed up, dressed and went to work without even eating, although except water and some old bread, he didn't have anything else.
In the morning he worked as a janitor in a small office, but he also did some small repairs there, like fixing computers, doors, chairs, lamps, electricity and the list goes on and on, but all he gets for it, is just a small bonus in the end of the month.
As always he was the first one there. He started with cleaning and after few hours when he cleaned everything, first office worker came. Office worker is Ahmed, 48 years old with tanned skin, green eyes and short black hair. Ahmed was wearing casual clothes, brown sweater and black pants. He was one of the few people friendly towards Rari.
"You're hard-working as ever, Rari. Already finished? "
"Good morning to you, Ahmed. Yes, just now"
"Good. Then come over here, I'll show you something interesting."
"I hope it's not one of your cat pictures."
"Whaa…" Ahmed made surprised face. "I haven't shown you enough cat pictures for you to get tired of them."
"But you have shown me those pictures for the last two years every day."
Ahmed laughed, then smiled and said: "True, but this time, I've something better. Yesterday I found interesting code, I can't say where, but as I know how you like puzzles and stuff like that, I wanted to show it to you."
"Have you solved the code?" with a smile asked Rari.
"No."
"So, you want my help because you couldn't do it? That's why you have those bags under your eyes?" now Rari was grinning with devilish look in his eyes.
"Yes." Ahmed sighed and gave Rari a piece of paper.
b7c8ffb8fbc67c171328e0e8f643694e8e61b335
7c211433f02071597741e6ff5a8ea34789abbf43
3c363836cf4e16666669a25da280a1865c2d2874
042dc4512fa3d391c5170cf3aa61e6a638f84342
86f7e437faa5a7fce15d1ddcb9eaeaea377667b8
13fbd79c3d390e5d6585a21e11ff5ec1970cff0c
86f7e437faa5a7fce15d1ddcb9eaeaea377667b8
395df8f7c51f007019cb30201c49e884b46b92fa
042dc4512fa3d391c5170cf3aa61e6a638f84342
86f7e437faa5a7fce15d1ddcb9eaeaea377667b8
e3d9bca2ecaf11825872780f9493ca0df05ec56a
af10ef20dd9060bbeead0afbc55381a66af442ef
6b0d31c0d563223024da45691584643ac78c96e8
86f7e437faa5a7fce15d1ddcb9eaeaea377667b8
4dc7c9ec434ed06502767136789763ec11d2c4b7
042dc4512fa3d391c5170cf3aa61e6a638f84342
86f7e437faa5a7fce15d1ddcb9eaeaea377667b8
d1854cae891ec7b29161ccaf79a24b00c274bdaa
86f7e437faa5a7fce15d1ddcb9eaeaea377667b8
a0f1490a20d0211c997b44bc357e1972deab8ae3
ca84d1343b96baa8137c943ed1860e522cacb238
"Isn't this just a hash function? Hmm… if you're asking me then that means that you tried already all known algorithms decrypt ways and tools."
"Well, I haven't tried everything, just the most likely ones."
"At the moment, I don't have time for this, but I will look it up when I can."
"Thanks. But don't show it to anyone."
"I know." Rari said and sighed. Then he went out from the office, towards his next job.
As Rari was walking down the street, deep in thought, he didn't even realize two men approaching him. Then suddenly Rari got pushed to the ground.
"Your kind isn't welcome here, you dirtball!" Shouted one of the guys, while other one spit on Rari and kicked him few times in the stomach.
Rari got up when they left, murmuring angrily to himself.
"Because of your kind, I'm the only one of my kind left in this country full of assholes."
Rari arrived at his second and last job for the day at the construction site. Here most of the workers also were mean towards Rari. Late at night he was finally free and was planning to leave, but was interrupted by manager Stende.
"Hey, you still have some work to do in second floor."
"You mean Alden's unfinished work?"
"Now it's your unfinished work which you need to finish in 2 hours." With an angry tone manager said.
"Yes sir." Rari knew there was no point in arguing how unjust and unfair it was, how his official work hours ended 5 hours ago and he did not only did his own work, but others as well. But if he said anything in protest, he would just get fired and it was already too hard to find a job for him.
"Oh, and don't come to work for the next few days. There will be the biggest storm of the century tomorrow or day after." After saying that, the manager left.
'Why I have a feeling that I’ve heard talk of storm of the century before? Where have I heard before about it? I'm too tired to remember.' After scratching his head, Rari walked towards stairs and started working once again.
After 3 hours he finished work, he worked as fast as he could, but it was impossible to finish in 2 hours and most likely no one in this construction site could finish even in 5 hours.
After 40 minutes he was home and went straight to bed, he was exhausted.
~~~*****~~~
"Granny, what are you saying? We originally are from Diakazia? Why ancestors left that world to come to this awful place where everyone hates us?" young Rari about 7 years old said with tears and desperation in his eyes.
"It was long ago, my little warrior, so even I don't know, there are many ideas why, but I don't think any of them are true." Granny said with sad expression.
"Listen closely, Rari, this is very important. I believe that you'll be the one who will be able to return to our homeland."
"How? And why did you say me? We'll both return, granny. There we'll live without feeling hungry and cold. We'll live in small, warm house with lots of fruits and vegetables. .. And I'll get you even meat and beautiful dress. Oh, and books, a lot of books. I know how you miss them. I'd get you anything you wanted and we would live happily there. I know it!" Rari said with big smile on his face with hugging granny.
Granny smiled warmly but with a hint of sadness. Then she kissed Rari on the forehead.
"I would love that, my sweet little warrior, but your chance will arrive only many years later and I'll be dead by that time"
"Nooo…." Rari cried while shaking his head.
"We'll both go there and there I'll find doctor who'll heal you."
"Rari, every life once ends. It's the way of life."
"Listen. When the storm of the century will come, you must go to the highest building's very top, the very top, so that when you stand there'll be nothing higher than you. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Good. Then you must hold tight and wait for lightning to hit you while saying who you are and where you wish to go."
"What? But that's… I would die." Rari was shocked by what he heard.
"Don't worry, my little warrior, I believe you're stronger than lightning." Granny said that with an expression like she knew some secret why Rari really wouldn't die.
"But be careful and remember, in Diakazia there are many bad people, but there'll be many good people, who would even die for you. Don't close your heart for those who wish you well because of some bad ones. You'd regret it otherwise. Promise me." Granny said that with pleading eyes.
"I promise."
~~~*****~~~
Rari woke up suddenly after just few hours of sleep.
"Granny, I'll go to Diakazia, like you wanted, but I'll not be able to keep my promise to you. I hope you'll forgive me for that. I know you just want the best for me, but people are evil and I don't think that they'll be any different even in Diakazia."
Rari got up from bed if you could call two blankets and a pillow on the floor as bed. He got ready and left his apartment, but he didn't go to work, but to search for information.
'My slavery days in this world are over. Either I'll die trying to get to fairytale world Diakazia or I'll actually get there. I’ve got nothing holding me in this world anyway. Somehow I'm happy, first time in many years. Either way I'll leave this world, be it suicide or mystical place far away from here'
~~~*****~~~
After gathering information about which could be the highest point in this city, how to get there, what materials he possibly needed and when exactly he needs to be there so that the storm will be the most devastating. Somehow he had the idea that the culmination of the storm was the moment he would be most likely to get to Diakazia.
The storm would begin tomorrow morning and the most devastating part would be around midnight.
In the city there are several buildings competing for the name of the highest skyscraper. The title goes to Freedom Corporation, but technically its Union logistics skyscraper which is the highest to the sky because of various bundled tubes and one of them is 45 meters straight to the sky from the roof with the symbol of silver goddess holding three golden stars on the very top.
'Somehow it seems proper to stand on stars which are being held by goddess and then laugh at all those stupid garbage bags beneath me… oh and then get hit by the lightening, don't know how I feel about that. More and more seems like a suicide attempt.'
After that Rari went home to get some sleep. He was tired after constant working while sleeping only few hours every and that was his reality for most of his recent years. Good rest was the key element to achieve his goal.
While sleeping he dreamt of happy moments he shared with granny.
~~~*****~~~
"… Remember, my little warrior, in Diakazia there are different species of which you haven't even heard of. Some of those species intelligence is similar or even higher than ours. They'll have one of the markings from our tattoo. Each marking in our tattoo’s represents bond with one species. It is said that our ancestors were the only ones those species were friendly with. It is our greatest treasure.
You must be polite and respectful towards them. Show them your worth while being humble. They will see you for what you are and will turn into your loyal allies and friends."
"Are there many of them?"
"Yes, of course. Too many to count."
"Then I'll have lots of friends, I want a friend so bad." With excitement said small Rari.
"And you'll have friend, a lot of friends. Oh, and a lover too. All the girls will run after you." Granny said while laughing.
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"I want friends, not lovers."
"Oh, my little warrior, when you grow up you'll want good girl by your side."
"I don't think anyone could be as good as you." Rari said while smiling.
"Because here you haven't met nice people doesn't mean that Diakazia is the same. The world in Diakazia is vast and somewhere you'll find nice and good people who'll show love and care for you." Granny smiled and pats Rari's head.
~~~*****~~~
'I hope you're right, granny.' Rari woke up feeling reborn with a smile on his face.
Outside he heard strong wind blowing. He looked outside and saw that the sky was dark, although it was afternoon. No one was outside. Several nearby trees crushed some cars and even one house.
'I wonder how I slept through all this.'
Rari ignored it all and went to make breakfast. Yesterday he decided to spoil himself. He made several dishes with expensive ingredients which he always wanted to try, but couldn't. He stuffed himself, but soon afterwards he vomited it all out. His stomach wasn't used to such food.
After many hours of preparation, he was ready. He left several hours earlier. It seemed like it would take more time than he estimated because of how devastating the storm of the century is.
'I'll be lucky to manage few steps forward in this storm.'
When he got out of his apartment buildings, heavy rain started pouring down. Wind was so strong that it was almost impossible to stand, let alone take a step forward.
Luckily, Rari didn't need to go against wind and his backpack was heavy enough not to get blown forward and get him crashed against some kind obstacle like a car.
After many problems and few hours later he arrived at Union logistics skyscraper. There was light only in the first floor entrance and lobby, where 2 security guards were.
Rari didn't plan to knock on the doors asking them to allow him sightsee from the roof; they would probably think he's insane and kick him out or call the police. Instead, his plan was to sneak in through backdoor. He found the backdoor easily, took out bit of flour and threw it on security panel right next to the door.
By doing this revealed that numbers 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 were often used.
He then took out USB cable and another cable. He connected both cables and then his phone and security panel. Security panel had special port and Rari was able to find necessary cable in black market. He installed software on his phone to find out most likely password algorithm and other software to trick the security system to believe that he has infinite number of tries permitted instead of 2.
It took him 12 tries and less than 2 minutes to get inside.
He researched Union logistics building very carefully the day before and most likely knew about this building more than people who actually worked here for years.
Thankfully because of the storm, electricity was out and just emergency generators were working. Because the possibility was low of someone breaking in now when the storm was destroying everything and to reserve power of generators, electricity was only used in the front of the building and only first floor, also located in the first floor. Even security cameras were out, as there was no need for them if the lights were off and they saw no need to switch on night vision. Of course, security measures on all important parts of the building was still on and on high alert.
'I'm seriously lucky. Only obstacle was the door and guards. If I needed to break in here two days ago, I most likely would get captured before even opening the backdoor. It's bad that I can't use elevator.'
As Rari sighed, he moved through corridors and reached stairs.
He needed to climb 254 floors. And he hoped that 3 hours would be enough.
When he finally reached door to the roof after 3 hours and 40 minutes, he was exhausted and didn't feel his legs anymore. After a short break, he moved to open the door to the roof. As fast as he opened the door, he closed it.
'Seriously? Seriously? It's nightmare out there. I can't even stand on the roof, let alone get on top of goddess and stars.'
After few long moments of remembering his granny and painful moments of his life, he decided to risk it.
'Argh. I've been through much worse than some shitty storm. Storm of the century? Don't make me laugh.'
Then he opened the door and walked right through the belly of the storm.
Scale of the weather on one of highest buildings was in the league on its own compared to the weather on the ground.
The rain was pouring many times harder. Whirlwind was destroying everything on its path. Thunder was so loud to make even the coldest and meanest person to shake in fear. And the worst of them all was the lightning. There were hundreds of listening strikes per minute, destroying everything on its path.
Rari saw hundreds of buildings destroyed already and it didn't look like the storm had any intentions of stopping anytime soon.
After looking around and fighting the wind for a while, Rari decided to test his luck and climb to the top.
He got out rope and harness out of his bag and started climbing. While climbing up, he several times fell, but thanks to his safety measures, he only fell few meters.
Hardest part was the goddess and the stars.
Surprisingly not even once lightening hit Union logistics building while he was climbing, even the wind slowed down.
When he finally reached the stars, he sat on them.
He overlooked the city.
City called Tempe, after city's founder. It was the third largest city in the world. Capital of Tempe Rais.
Rari didn't have any fond memories either of this city or country. But he heard that other countries were much worse than this one. Devastated by the plague and impoverished. Dictatorship and no freedom of speech. Or in constant war either with neighboring countries or with its own citizens.
Then he looked up to the sky. Clouds of grey and violet were right above him. Wind and rain stopped, no sound of thunder and no sign of lightning, except for quiet blue sparks between the clouds.
'I guess it's nature's way of saying to stand up and say what I need to say.'
Rari stood up, took off his backpack, ropes, harnesses and threw them on the ground.
He looked up and said with clear voice.
"My name is Rari and I stand on the highest point in this city before you to ask your help to get to my ancestors homeland Diakazia!"
'I hope this works.'
As Rari thought that, he heard the loudest thunder ever right above his head and before he could even blink, light blue lightning appeared above him and hit him. It was the last sight he saw.
~~~*****~~~
Rari opened his eyes. He saw sky, in light blue and orange colors with no clouds at all. He was lying on grass. He could smell the grass and flowers.
'This is the smell of freedom.'
He looked all around him. All he saw was plains and a mountain farther away.
"I DID IT! GRANNY, I DID IT! I REACHED DIAKAZIA!"
Rari shouted and happily laughed afterwards.
Because of all the things that happened, he was still exhausted and tired.
'I better rest a bit. I need strength and clear head to figure out what to do next.'
As he thought that, he lied down and immediately fell asleep.
~~~*****~~~
After few hours of sleep, Rari woke up, but the sight before him wasn't as great as before.
In front of him were standing 20 armed men with axes in their hands. All of them were dressed in black clothes with two red stars on their shoulders.
Rari was confused and terrified of what could happen next.
"What are…."
Before Rari could finish his sentence, someone behind him hit his head and he lost consciousness.
Prologue Part 3: After the Storm
Half of the city was destroyed after the storm of the century. Millions of people had lost their lives, their homes. Even skyscrapers which were built to withstand many severe disasters were destroyed. Ironically the apartment where Rari lived wasn't destroyed, but all the buildings next to it weren't so lucky. It will take years to repair the damage, costing billions.
Few weeks after, the office, were Rari worked as a janitor, after many repairs were finally good enough for people to work there again.
Ahmed was worried about Rari's disappearing; he even went to his house several times, but nothing.
"Ahmed, you hear me? Ahmed?"
Ahmed was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't even hear how his friend from his time in university was calling him.
"Ah, Sasha, I didn't hear you. What are you doing here?"
Sasha had blond hair in a ponytail reaching almost his waist, green eyes and was wearing elegant grey suit and black shoes. He was only year older than Ahmed.
"Seriously, what were you thinking about that you didn't even notice how I was practically yelling in your ear?" Sasha asked with a hint of amusement.
"Oh, it's nothing. Forget it. What can I do for you?"
"Did you decrypt it?"
"Not yet, but I'm close. I almost got it, but then I was busy with other things."
"It's ok. I'm not in a hurry. Anyways, I came today because I remembered you talking about 'forsaken one' working here. Where is he? I've some questions only he could answer." Sasha said that while looking around.
"Oh, you meant Rari?" While saying that Ahmed's face turned serious.
"Why exactly you need him?"
"Don't worry, I just want to talk. I know how you care for that poor boy, even trying to cheer him up with some stupid cat photos. People are really mean and most for the time they even don't know why. It's really sad."
"That's true." With sad eyes said Ahmed.
"Anyway, I found out that his people actually weren't the abomination we thought all along. But actually something more like our saviors, I'm still in the middle of investigation. And Rari could spread some light to some things. So, where is he?"
"Sadly, right before the storm he disappeared. I went to his apartment several times and to his other work places, as well asked few other people, but no one knows."
"That's seriously bad. Do you think he's dead?" with concern asked Sasha.
"I already checked hospitals, prison and morgue, but nothing. I asked them to get in touch with me if they found something about him."
"He was the last living of his kind in this country. I heard there were few others in other countries, but it'll be problematic to speak with them as most are hunted, murdered, imprisoned or are hiding. It was very lucky for Rari to be able to work and rent an apartment compared to others, although he suffered no less. I wonder why. Do you know?"
"Well, if you look at it like this, it's seriously strange, considering what happened to his grandmother, parents, older brother, not to mention others from his kind. I always thought that he could work and be part of the society more or less because people in the government felt apologetic after what happened with his grandmother. But knowing our government it's unlikely."
"I hope he's in a better place now, wherever he is."
"I can only hope and pray." Said Ahmed deeply concerned.
"He has suffered too much."
~~~***end of prologue***~~~
Next: Chapter 1
Author’s note: I hope this was an interesting read. This is my first FF and by posting here I want to see if I’m capable of writing something that some people could enjoy, if not then there’s no point. Also, english is NOT my first language, so excuse me for all the mistakes and it would be very nice if someone would point out those mistakes. And I welcome all suggestions.
The code (with lots of numbers and letters) in the text is real and I’ll not reveal what it means for a while, but you can find the meaning for yourself. I thought it would be more interesting this way.
Meanings to some uncommon(?) words I used (if I left something out, let me know):
Spoiler :
• Hepatizon, also known as Black Corinthian Bronze, was a highly valuable metal alloy in classical antiquity. It is thought to be an alloy of copper with the addition of a small proportion of gold and silver (perhaps as little as 8% of each), mixed and treated to produce a material with a dark purplish patina, similar to the colour of liver. It is referred to in various ancient texts, but no known examples of hepatizon exist today. wiki
• Corinthian bronze, also called Corinthian brass or æs Corinthiacum, was a highly valuable metal alloy in classical antiquity. It is thought to be an alloy of copper with gold or silver (or both), although it has also been contended that it was simply a very high grade of bronze, or a kind of bronze that was manufactured in Corinth. It is referred to in various ancient texts, but no known examples of Corinthian bronze exist today. wiki
• Actinolite is an amphibole silicate mineral. The higher the iron content the greener the colour. wiki
• The mineral heliotrope, also known as bloodstone, is a form of chalcedony (which is a cryptocrystalline mixture of quartz and its monoclinic polymorph moganite). The "classic" bloodstone is green chalcedony with red inclusions of iron oxide or red jasper. Sometimes the inclusions are yellow, in which case the mineral is given the name plasma.wiki
• An amphitheatre or amphitheater is an open-air venue used for entertainment, performances, and sports. Ancient Greek theatres were built in a semicircle, with tiered seating above a performance area. Ancient Roman amphitheatres were oval or circular in plan, with seating tiers that surrounded the central performance area, like a modern open-air stadium. Example, Colosseum in Rome. wiki
• A marquee is a large tent used as a temporary building. They have long been used for circus or other performances, fairs, banquets, large weddings or, more recently corporate entertainment events. Marquees / party tents are dramatic and very strong. wiki
• Bundled tube- instead of one tube, a building consists of several tubes tied together to resist the lateral forces. Such buildings have interior columns along the perimeters of the tubes when they fall within the building envelope. Notable examples include Willis Tower and One Magnificent Mile. wiki
• A sett, usually referred to in the plural and known in some places as a Belgian block, which is a broadly rectangular quarried stone used for paving roads. wiki