The Lost City In The Sand
Once upon a time, in a land where the yellow dunes of the desert stretched endlessly, and long tendrils of heat mirages danced around the sun's blazing glory, there thrived a city - The Lost City of Zahir. This city, now lost to sand and time, used to be a vibrant center of learning, culture, wisdom, and wealth. This is a story about this forgotten city and how it became a tale of legend.
In this majestic city of Zahir lived its ruler, a wise and just king, Shahar. Known for his valor and intelligence, Shahar presided over a golden era. He was not just a king; he was a scholar, a philosopher, and a great patron of education and arts. The city flourished under his rule, and so did peace and prosperity among the citizens.
Among them was Zaid, a humble boy with striking, brilliant green eyes like polished emeralds and a heart full of honesty and courage. Zaid was an orphan who lived with his loving aunt. Despite their meager means, Zaid’s aunt provided him the best education her money could afford. Zaid’s fascination for knowledge was insatiable, he would spend hours lost in scrolls about history, geography, mathematics, and the world beyond Zahir. As he grew older, Zaid's thirst for knowledge only expanded.
Among his explorations, Zaid found a frail, decaying scroll hidden behind a loose stone in the city’s grand library. It was a prophecy long forgotten, a prophecy that spoke of a perilous sandstorm that would wipe out the city of Zahir. Panic filled his heart as the prophecy spoke of signs that had already started showing: an untimely sandstorm, a stream drying up, the ominous call of a desert bird.
Zaid brought this prophecy to the knowledge of the king. Shahar’s fascination with the prophecy was matched by Zaid's fear. King Shahar, astounded by Zaid's intelligence and sagacity, ordered all resources be poured into verifying the prophecy and preparing for what seemed inevitable. Zaid was at the center of this mission, providing his wisdom, and deciphering the old prophecies and calculations.
Days turned into months, and months into years, as their tireless struggle against time continued, Zahir bore the brunt of sporadic sandstorms that started growing in intensity. Zahr's golden streets began filling up with sand; the vibrant city was losing its color. Despite that, there was a glimmer of hope, in the King's relentless efforts and Zaid's unyielding faith.
As they raced against time to prepare against the disaster, Zaid and Shahar discovered solutions in ancient scrolls and encoded messages - massive walls to huddle the city, a channel to redirect the river water to vast underground reserves, and an incredible warning system using mirrors and sunlight. The city of Zahir underwent a transformation that aimed to persist against nature’s wrath.
When the Day finally arrived, roaring gales filled with grains of sand attacked the city. The skies turned dark with the wrath of the storm; the Zahir's warning systems rang in every dwelling. People sought shelter under the protection of the colossal walls and deep beneath the earth's comforting embrace.
The massive storm hovered for seven days and seven nights, showing no mercy. But as each day passed, the hope among the citizens grew stronger. They were fighting back the storm and surviving. Their preparations were standing tall against the storm’s might.
On the eighth day, the wrath of the skies subsided revealing a city half-buried in sand but still standing, still alive. It was a sight that brought a tear to every eye, a sight of survival and triumph against nature's brutal test. Zahir had indeed become the Lost City, but not destroyed. It had dodged oblivion and marked itself in the echelons of history, thanks to the eyes of youth and the wisdom of experience.
Thus, the tale of the Lost City of Zahir became a legend, a tale of courage, wisdom, unity, and victory against the harshest of odds. Every grain of sand that encompasses Zahir whispers this tale, reminding the world of a city that was, a city that stands still stronger than ever. As for Zaid and King Shahar, they continued to bathe in the glory of their victory, their legend echoing through time, their torch of knowledge and wisdom burning brighter than ever.