The Hidden City of Records
Our tale begins in the modern era, in the bustling city of New York, filled with skyscrapers, endless traffic and millions of inhabitants leading contemporary lives. Driven by progress and the digital revolution, people seldom spare a thought for the old, forgotten world. Among the city's inhabitants was a young man named Michael, a passionate historian and archaeologist. Apart from modern developments, Michael was more intrigued by the remnants of the past that lay buried beneath layers of technology.
One day, as he was busy researching ancient civilization literature, he stumbled upon a cryptic manuscript indicating the existence of 'Ikthar' - a hidden city which housed records of human history, dating back to centuries much before known records. Intrigued by this revelation, Michael devoted his time and resources towards deciphering the indications leading to this city. The tale of 'Ikthar' was perceived as a myth, but to Michael, it was a chance to unveil a significant segment of forgotten history.
Michael worked relentlessly, his study blanketed with cryptic maps, ancient texts, old photos, and scribbled papers. His nights were punctuated with coffee stains and theories until he found the first clue - the lines of latitude and longitude hidden subtly in the text. They pointed towards the remote hills of Scotland. There, accented by rugged cliffs and waves crashing onto its sandy beaches, was to be the first ingredient to deciphering the city.
The next day, Michael packed his bags and departed for the hills. He reached the precise latitude and longitude during a moonlit night. Danny McLaren, a local, led him to the location - a hidden cave shaped like a pyramid, hidden behind the cascading streams. The sight was surreal. Amid the darkness of the cave, lay a miniature replica of an ancient civilization marked with peculiar symbols, a model of Ikthar itself, he reckoned.
McLaren was intrigued and offered his assistance to Michael. Together, they commenced their research, decoding hieroglyphs, linking clues to bloody wars, and significant events of history. Following the string of clues was similar to a wild goose chase, leading them from Scotland to the sun-kissed pyramids of Egypt, sand-covered temples of India, and sacred shrines in Japan. Their exploration led them into forgotten tombs, snake-filled caves, and beneath centuries-old monuments.
After many years of relentless pursuit, Michael and McLaren decoded the final piece of the puzzle in the heart of Himalayas - an ancient key beautifully crafted with gold. With the last clue in his hand, Michael knew where to go, back to where it all started - New York.
Beneath the bustling New York City, deep in a forgotten subway rail, they uncovered a hidden doorway. Astonished, they used the key, and as the massive stone door screeched open, a spectacle like no other appeared in front of them. An entire city lit with luminescent crystals, intricately crafted buildings, and records etched on stone slabs, meticulously organised in a pattern symbolising different periods of human history.
What initially felt like a myth had become a reality. Michael and McLaren were standing in Ikthar, the city of records. They had unveiled history's most enormous hidden library. The city held detailed records of human history, witnessing events much before the established records of civilization.
Spreading the news about this discovery, Michael and McLaren were celebrated worldwide, their names etched in history. The UNESCO declared Ikthar as a World Heritage site, and governments from all over the world took steps to preserve the age-old records. The discovery of this hidden city of records ignited a new passion for history worldwide, shifting people's perspective from future-oriented to appreciating and learning from the past.