The Lost City of Miracles🔊

Once upon a time, in the significantly distant past, there existed a majestic and prosperous city named Zephyria. This was an unusual city hidden from the realm of common men, nestled between the highest mountain peak and the deepest ocean trench, retaining its mystique.

The citizens of Zephyria were unique beings; they were born not with bodies of flesh and blood but with brilliant luminescent forms. They took pride in their shimmering radiance, which they believed was a gift from the cosmos. To others, Zephyria was often regarded as the 'Lost City of Miracles.'

One day, a young Zephyrian named Elysium found a shard of crystal by the Silver River. This crystal was unlike any other in Zephyria. It had a remarkable glow that seemed to wash an intense wave of energy over anyone who held it. Elysium, fascinated with the mysterious crystal, decided to keep it a secret.

However, Elysium's secret didn’t stay hidden for too long. The crystal's energy had a mind of its own, pulsating vibrant hues that illuminated her home, attracting the attention of neighbor and friend Orion. Elysium reluctantly shared her discovery with Orion, even allowing him to hold the radiant gem.

But as Orion held the crystal, something happened - his glow began to diminish, absorbed by the crystal as if it was thirsty for light. Terrified, Elysium snatched the crystal back, but the damage had been done. Orion’s luminosity was severely diminished, making him look almost as dull as an outsider, a non-Zephyrian.

Seeking to fix what had happened, Elysium ventured into the Forbidden Library, a place full of ancient texts about Zephyria's history. Her heart pounded as she found what she was looking for - a tome about powerful artifacts such as her crystal, named the 'Lumis Shard.' According to the old writings, the crystal was created by ancient Zephyrians to collect and enhance their glow. However, it was eventually destroyed as it absorbed too much and caused Zephyrians to lose their glow, much like Orion.

The book held another shocking revelation - the Lumis Shard could be destroyed only by someone willingly giving up their glow. Elysium was in a dilemma. Orion was a dear friend, and she felt responsible for his present state. But to become an outsider, devoid of the characteristic glow, was unimaginable.

Yet, Elysium made up her mind. She confronted the council about the Lumis Shard, their history, and Orion's ordeal. Despite the council’s initial apprehensions about losing another glowing citizen, it was clear that Elysium had already made her decision. In an emotionally charged ceremony, Elysium held the Lumis Shard and let it absorb every last bit of her glow, breaking it into a million fragments at the end. She had saved Orion and the city but at the cost of becoming an outsider.

Orion's glow gradually returned, but Elysium remained the same - a gentle, loving soul in a glow-less body. However, the Zephyrians no longer saw her as an outsider. They looked up to her as a hero, a beacon of sacrifice, love, and strength, outshining even their brightest glow.

Over time, Zephyria’s people learned that it wasn't their physical brilliance that made them who they were but by their actions and moral fibre. Elysium’s sacrifice changed the city and its beings for the better, making them understand that real glow doesn't come from physical radiance but from the good within.

And so, the story of Elysium became an essential part of Zephyrian folklore, narrated to every new generation. The young ones didn't just learn about the nobility of sacrifice, but also about the importance of their actions over superficial appearances. Thus Elysium, once an ordinary girl, became a luminary, a beacon of wisdom, lauded not just in Zephyria but in every corner, where the tale of the 'Lost City of Miracles' was shared.