The Lost Kingdom of Zenthara
Centuries ago, tucked away behind the farthest clouds, existed the mystical kingdom of Zenthara. Zenthara was celebrated throughout the old world for its rich emeralds & magenta sunsets, but most importantly, for the renowned wisdom of its king, King Azimuth. His justice and intelligence were infamous extending to lands far and wide.
The kingdom was teeming with life; children running through the plush fields, laughter resonating in every corner, merchants praising their goods in the bustling markets. Life was harmonious, dripping with tranquility the world had scarcely seen.
One fine day, a strange occurrence took place. In the sky above Zenthara, seven stars formed a constellation, unheard and unseen before. This constellation, in the form of an exquisite sword, shone radiantly, demanding attention. The royal astronomer, Orion, rushed to Azimuth, his face etched with concern. The constellation, he believed, was a sign from the cosmos, signalling the fall of Zenthara.
The news reached the kingdom, and panic gripped the heart of every denizen. King Azimuth, however, remained unshaken. He summoned his bravest warrior and trusted confidante, Zephyr, and commanded him to consult the Oracle of Delphinus. Azimuth knew, despite his wisdom, only the Oracle could peer through the veils of time and unravel the meaning of these celestial messages.
Thus, began Zephyr's journey through steep valleys, treacherous forests, and icy mountain peaks to reach the Oracle. When greeted by the wise Oracle, Zephyr narrated the celestial occurrences and King Azimuth's request. In return, the Oracle confessed dishearteningly, 'The fall of Zenthara is inevitable.'
But he added, 'A curse is to befall Zenthara. But there’s a way to turn the curse into a blessing. To break the curse, the king himself must seek the altar of the vanquished God - Aion and place his crown there. He must step down from his throne, renounce his kingdom, and live a life of a common man. Only then will Zenthara be saved.'
Heavy-hearted, Zephyr journeyed back to Zenthara to deliver the damning prophecy. King Azimuth did not flinch at the Oracle's revelation. Without protest, he announced his decision – to follow the Oracle's instructions and renounce his kingship. The kingdom was submerged in a myriad of emotions – sadness over the loss of their King, hope for their survival, and admiration for Azimuth’s selflessness.
The day arrived when Azimuth set off, aided by Zephyr, for the journey to the altar of Aion. Eventually, they came across what seemed like a forgotten ruin of a once celestial temple. Azimuth, with a burdened heart, placed his crown and Juna, the royal sceptre of Zenthara on the stone altar. The heavens roared, lightnings flicked, and in a flash – the crown and the sceptre vanished.
A celestial voice echoed in the heavy air, ‘The sacrifice of the noble king is accepted. Zenthara is now immortal, camouflaged from the human vision and preserving its glory for eternity.’
And thus, the kingdom of Zenthara vanished from the face of the earth, existing but invisible to the human world. King Azimuth, now a commoner, and his faithful warrior, Zephyr, returned to their land, their existence a tale of heroism, sacrifice, and undying love for one's people.
Centuries later, science named the enigmatic constellation as 'King’s Crown,' without knowing the truth. And while Zenthara may have ceased to exist in our world, through the passage of time and the whispers of the wind, its story carries on. A story of a beloved king, his fall from the throne, and the lost kingdom that lives on, veiled from the world but thriving in harmony – forever.