Eternity Beneath The Waves
Once upon a time, in a world not as dissimilar from our own as one may think, where the sky was as blue as the sapphire seas that covered much of the planet, there sat an island, an island known as 'Eastmoor.' Eastmoor was a place of tranquility and beauty, with forests so dense and green they would put emeralds to shame, rivers so pure they shimmered in the sunlight, and inhabitants so affable they welcomed every outsider with open arms.
But Eastmoor had a secret, lying just off its southern coast, beneath the turquoise waves, lay an ancient, sunken city known as 'Azuria.' Azuria was a place of legend, where memories of a forgotten age were buried under the sands of the sea bed. The Eastmoor folk told tales of what once was, of the time when Azuria was teeming with life before a cataclysm pulled the city under water.
One sunny afternoon, a youngster named Eli, intrigued by Azuria's lore, decided to explore the shrouded city. A courageous soul, who had grown up with tales of Azuria's splendor, Eli could not resist the allure of the underwater kingdom left untouched for centuries. His mind vivid with stories of untold wealth, magnificent structures, and shadows of former inhabitants, Eli set out to discover Azuria.
As he delved into the abyss, descending deeper into the swirling fathoms, the pressure around him increased. Bright fish darted through ruined paths, their scales glistening like scattered coins. The coral-encrusted ruins, illuminated by rays of sunlight, sprawled out endlessly in front of him. The city was more beautiful than he had ever imagined, yet it was suffused with a sense of loss and mystery. Eli swam through archways and over toppled columns, uncovering broken homes and worn-out artefacts of a time long lost.
Suddenly, in the twilight of the sea, he noticed a faint, luminescent glow that was unusual even for Azuria. Drawn like a moth to a flame, he swam towards it, unveiling an expansive palace. Time seemed to have spared this majestic structure, and its beauty remained impenetrable to the ravages of time. What caught Eli's eye was a colossal statue of a king - the King of Azuria.
As Eli touched the statue, he felt a strange sensation, as if reality itself was warping. His vision blurred, and when it refocused, he was no longer underwater but standing in the heart of Azuria. Buildings stood tall, streets buzzed with activity, and above all, people were everywhere. Eli found himself at the same palace, outside the statue, now marvelling at its golden hue under the sun.
Eli was caught amidst an carnival-like scene, in the heyday of Azuria. He saw the king, the queen, the children playing and the bustling market. He danced with the residents, savored their cuisine, and laughed at their merry tales. He saw love, camaraderie, and felt an inexplicable connection with this forgotten world. His heart fluttered with immense happiness until he remembered they were not his time; they were not his people.
Suddenly, he heard a mighty roar, a rumbling of the earth, followed by a massive wall of water racing towards the city. People screamed and fled, but it was too late. The devastation was imminent. As the wave hit, Eli found himself back underwater, in front of the statue, the vision of Azuria's last day seared into his memory. He swam back hastily, the once beautiful city now a poignant reminder of a world long gone.
Back on Eastmoor, him being the same boy who had left but not the same within, he shared his experience. The pain, the tragedy of Azuria was etched deep into the minds of Eastmoor folks, and their tales of Azuria took a melancholic turn. Yet, the spirit of Azuria lived on, in the hearts of Eastmoor people, in their tales, in their respect for the sea, and in the young boy called Eli, who had swum through the annals of time and come back a storyteller.