The Mystery of the Ephemeral Village
In the Land of Sherborne, known for its blossoming cherry groves and emerald green fields, resided a young shepherd named Matthew. He lived with his elderly parents, leading a simple life tending to their flock of sheep. However, little did he know that he was destined for something extraordinary.
One fateful day, while leading his flock across the rocky shepherd's route, Matthew's sheep stumbled onto a hidden pathway. It led them through a dense forest, an untouched realm shrouded in an unrevealed mystery. Matthew was baffled but obliged to follow his flock, joining the lamb's march into the wilderness.
The hidden forest path ended on the outskirts of a quaint village. To Matthew's astonishment, the village was replete with opulence, houses made of gold and lush gardens, but it was devoid of any life forms. Seemingly, it appeared and disappeared without rhyme or reason, an ethereal presence in the mortal world.
Determined to investigate, Matthew tiptoed into the village exploring its luxury. Sokon, the ethereal village's Gatekeeper, noticed the mortal intruder. Fearing the rage of the Gods for allowing a mortal to enter their realm, Sokon hastily approached Matthew but was captivated by the young shepherd's innocence.
Sokon revealed the secret of the village to Matthew. It was an ephemeral village called 'Zira' that emerged every lunar eclipse on earth and existed until the next sunrise. It was the home to the celestial deities who descended to enjoy mortal sentiments, and only the gatekeeper, Sokon, stayed back to reinstate it.
Mesmerized by the revelation yet understanding Sokon's predicament, Matthew offered to help the gatekeeper. Sokon, constricted by celestial laws, had to penalize the intruder or face the wrath of the deities. Yet deeply moved by Matthew's virtue, he bestowed a blessing and a curse. The blessing empowered Matthew to remember Zira always, but the curse would restrict him from revealing its existence to anyone.
Matthew returned to Sherborne as a different person, with an enigmatic aura that surrounded him. He developed an unusual artistic talent that intrigued everyone. Out of nowhere, he started creating fascinating paintings reflecting a golden village under the moonlit sky. The art pieces were beyond anyone’s comprehension in Sherborne, but they were mesmerized by the beauty and felt a subtle connection.
Years turned into decades, and Matthew grew old, reliably carrying the secret of Zira in his heart. His artistic depictions of Zira became Sherborne's folklore, enchanting generations. Yet, the ethereal village remained an undefined mystery. Finally, the dawn arrived when Matthew would breathe his last. Yet, he died peacefully, successfully preserving the sanctity of Zira till his final breath.
The story of Matthew’s striking art continued to shape Sherborne's identity, becoming a legacy. Though the existence of Zira remains a mystery, Matthew's artistic renditions keep reminding Sherborne and its inhabitants of the ephemeral village which once was graced by a mortal.
In turn, Zira and its deities retained their ethereal supremacy, untouched by human intrusion. Sokon, although ridden with guilt for cursing Matthew still continued his job as the gatekeeper. But, Matthew’s innocent smile and the self-imposed silence to preserve Zira's sanctity tend to softly echo on each occurrence of the lunar eclipse as a reminder of the special visitor and the unusual incident.