The Lost City of Zalon
In an ancient time, shrouded with mystery, there existed a city with unparalleled beauty and grandeur, named Zalon. Situated amidst the towering peaks of the Zephyr Mountains and holding profound lore of the cosmos, it was a paradise unbeknownst to the rest of the world.
The folklore of Zalon tells of a humble shepherd, Arlec, who dared look beyond the confines of his pasture. A man of immense curiosity, Arlec often found himself wandering deep into the unexplored crevices of the Zephyrs. One day, while trailing a lost sheep, he stumbled upon an undiscovered path.
As he moved along the rocky terrain, he spotted a majestic eagle circling a far-off cliff. Looking through his old binoculars, he noticed something unusual in the direction the bird seemed to guard. It was a set of gigantic doors, intricately carved with strange, celestial symbols.
Intrigued, Arlec set off towards the marked cliff. As he approached, the doors opened on their own, revealing a panoramic view of a city that seemed untouched by time: Zalon. The sight was bewildering. A city with unprecedented vibrancy, towering structures, an ethereal glow, and people with a certain spark in their eyes— Zalon was a living masterpiece.
Arlec became a frequent visitor, fascinated by Zalon's advanced civilization, and their unparalleled knowledge of the cosmos. However, he was also stunned by their ignorance and disinterest in the world beyond their city. The denizens of Zalon were content in their cocoon of self-sustenance and had no wish to venture beyond Zalon because they believed there was nothing else out there worth knowing.
Arlec, on the contrary, felt a deep resentment towards their self-imposed isolation. He decided to bridge the gap between the two worlds, to share the wisdom of Zalon with the rest of humanity.
One day, Arlec managed to convince a professor, Lembit, who shared his dissatisfaction with the city's isolationist policy, to help him. Lembit was an expert in the city's cosmic lore, and his wisdom would be of great value to the outer world. Both agreed to undertake the journey to Arlec's village.
Upon arriving, the villagers were shocked and spellbound by the tales of Zalon and the knowledge Lembit imparted. The village soon evolved into a hub of cosmic wisdom, attracting scholars and inquisitive minds from far and wide. The word of the mystical city spread like wild fire across kingdoms, sparking an era of enlightenment.
Years passed, Arlec, now an old man, decided to return to Zalon, hoping that his revelation had encouraged the city to open its alluring doors. With a heart full of excitement and trepidation, he embarked on his nostalgic journey. But, on reaching the destined cliff, it bore no signs of the once magnificent doors. Confused and weary, Arlec explored the mountains vigorously but Zalon was nowhere to be seen.
Arlec's heart filled with regret. He feared that his good intentions had unintentionally led to the city's disappearance. Although he spent the rest of his days searching for the lost city, it was never to be found again. The world continued to speculate the truth of the legends, and Zalon transfigured into a myth. Yet, the wisdom Arlec brought from Zalon lived on, continuing to enlighten generation after generation.
The tale of the lost city of Zalon is a reminder that while knowledge should be shared, certain things are perhaps best kept hidden. It embodies the eternal conflict between human curiosity and the inherent fear of the unknown.