The Legend of the Glass Mountain🔊

Once upon a time in the land of the West, there was a prosperous kingdom known as Aedion. Aedion was famous for its wealth, happy people, and a unique natural wonder, a colossal Glass Mountain. The mountain, like an iridescent giant, loomed over the otherwise ordinary landscapes with a glittering aura.

The story of the mountain held that its summit sheltered immeasurable treasures guarded by a relentless dragon. However, scaling the treacherous sharp slopes of glass was an unattainable task, posing as a challenge to the bravest adventurers. As a result, the mountain became a beacon of unfulfilled desires and shattered dreams– its base littered with the remnants of failed expeditions and fallen heroes.

In Aedion lived a humble blacksmith, named Baldrik, known for his diligence and benevolence. He lived all his life respiring the rumors of the mountain's immense treasure. One day, driven by an irresistible desire to change his fate, Baldrik decided to accept the Glass Mountain challenge.

Baldrik knew that the conventional approach wouldn't work. Instead of iron boots and climbing hooks, he toiled in his forge for weeks, producing a set of boots and gloves with soles and palms made from a thick layer of sponge. As they were laughed at by the local folks, Baldrik knew in his heart that his invention would work.

When the day came, he started his ascent, surprising one and all, that he was indeed able to scale the glacier-like surface. The sponge material sticking on the smooth glass, allowing him momentum and defying the laws of normality. Higher and higher he climbed, every step taking him closer to his goal as the crowd below watched in awe and admiration.

Once he reached the summit, he found an ancient castle, its facade reflected in a distorted image on the glass mountain surface. True to the stories, a fierce dragon greeted him, guarding the immense treasure. Baldrik, dejected and fearful, thought of conceding to the mighty beast, but then he remembered why he embarked on this journey.

Pulling together the vestiges of his strength and courage, Baldrik hurled a smoke bomb towards the dragon that he had created in his forge. Overwhelmed by the smoke, the dragon got disoriented, giving Baldrik enough time to sneak past it and lay his hands on the mystical treasure. The precious gems glowed with a surreal light, and on the center pedestal, lay an ornate crown, the Crown of Eternity.

The gems in his bag and the crown atop his balding head, Baldrik descended the Glass Mountain amid the cheers of the whole kingdom. His bravery was rewarded by the king, he was made an honorary knight, and his tale echoed in every corner of Aedion.

Baldrik's story managed to shift the paradigm of the kingdom, and the Glass Mountain was no longer a symbol of shattered hopes. It stood as a testimony to human spirit, valor, and ingenuity, radiating a new light of hope, victory, and courage amidst the humble landscapes of Aedion. The Glass Mountain, still mighty and inscrutable, continued to you whisper into the wind a story of a humble blacksmith who dared to dream and thereby dared to conquer the impossible.

And thus, it is, all along the landscapes of Aedion and way beyond, where the tail wind carries, years later, young adventurists, men and women alike, look at the Glass Mountain, not with despair, but determination, a spark in their eyes, resonating the spirit of Baldrik, ready to create their own legends on the facades of the extraordinary Glass Mountain.