The Lost City of Aris
Once, in the forgotten ages of time, long before humans ever mounted their first explorer's ship, there existed a vast continent named Cumoria, a hub of advanced civilisation known for its grand architecture, remarkable technology, and enlightened beings. Their capital, Aris, was the beacon of wisdom unmatched in beauty and grandeur.
The sun sprayed a golden hue over Aris every dawn, revealing an exquisite arrangement of silver towers adorned with precious stones that glittered brilliantly across vast lands. The sophisticated city, home to a rich tapestry of cultures and the cradle of an enlightened civilisation, was a marvel in itself. Yet, its true charm lay not in its observable exquisiteness but within its inhabitants who lived in harmony and profound wisdom. Moojana, the High Priestess of Aris, was the most revered among all. Her wisdom, benevolence, and visionary leadership were credited for the era of peace and prosperity the kingdom was enjoying.
One ordinary day, in the royal court of Aris, Moojana was reading the celestial omens through her sacred crystals, as she did daily during her quiet introspection. As she calmly scrutinized the energy emanating from the crystals, her face gradually stiffened. The brief vision she had just witnessed was an alarming prophecy about an impending doom that threatened the existence of Aris itself.
Startled by this revelation, Moojana warned the King and the council about the approaching danger. The prophecy was difficult to accept, leading to chaos and scepticism amongst the courtiers. It was a radical change in their perceived reality, there was uncertainty, fear, and some even denied the prophecy entirely. The silent night of Aris was disturbed by a pandemonium of heated discussions and the cries of disapproval.
Fearing the potential cataclysm, the King, divulging his deepest trust in Moojana, decided to prepare the city. A fleet was constructed, aiming to safeguard the inhabitants and secure Aris's wisdom by relocating them. The process took a substantial time, but the determined inhabitants worked day in and day out, hopeful in the face of adversities.
As days passed into months and then seasons, one ominous day, the prophecy unfolded as the city felt the first tremor. The ground reverberated violently, and a sense of inevitability hung in the air. Silver towers swayed precariously; chaotic scenes erupted as the terrified inhabitants rushed to the safety of the fleet. Threading around the delicate balance between panic and valour, the city of Aris prepared to set sail.
The departure was heart-wrenching. As the fleet set sail, an era ended and another began. The once prominent city started sinking into the depths of oblivion. Swift currents delt their blow and Aris, with all its glory and grandeur, was soon swallowed by the furious sea, leaving Cumoria submerged. The lost city of Aris was no more.
Years turned to centuries, and as the storms quietened and the seas stilled, Aris became a legend, then a myth, and then a forgotten tale. Until one day, modern humans, known for their curiosity stumbled upon ancient maps and writings stating the existence of a land called Aris. The news ignited an explorer's spirit worldwide. Expeditions were commanded, rivalling nations took to the seas, all racing to uncover Aris's lost mysteries. But the sea remained silent, keeping its secret hidden away from intruding eyes.
Meanwhile on Mars, which the relocated Arisians now called home, the High Priestess Moojana gazed upon the blue jewel of Earth twinkling in the infinite expanse of the universe. She whispered softly, 'The world is not ready yet. Our wisdom will rise when they have learned to live in harmony, as we did in the lost city.',
This is the tale of Aris, the city lost in time yet outliving it. A tale of wisdom, prophecy, resilience and survival, waiting to be rediscovered.