The Promise of the Lost City
In the land of Eddings, there was a provincial town of Mennara, ostracized in a secluded corner of the world. The folks of Mennara were common people living merry, simple lives untainted by the chaos of the outside world. They revered a legend, that of the Lost City of Zahara, which claimed to be a place of unparalleled beauty and prosperity, hidden somewhere deep into the heartlands.
Centuries ago, a prophet had prophesied that a chosen one from Mennara would uncover Zahara's secret when despair enveloped Eddings.
In Mennara's humble origin, there was an unassuming boy, Emmeth, the blacksmith's son, who was chosen for a destiny he never sought. Everyone in the village knew him well – a hardworking, courteous, and diligent boy, whose dreams reached beyond the smithy, touched the vast sky and, above all, Zahara's myth.
One day, while fetching water from the nearby stream, he found a mysterious, ancient stone. In its cold, harsh surface, he saw something peculiar - a map. It appeared to him that the map was leading to the Lost City of Zahara.
He showed the stone-map to his father, who recognized it from the descriptions in the old Chronicles. When the town elders confirmed that this was indeed a piece of the puzzle leading to Zahara, they realized that Emmeth was the prophesied one.
Without a moment's hesitation, Emmeth embarked on the arduous journey, leaving behind a life of simplicity and immersing himself into a realm of danger, mystery, and promising glory.
The journey was treacherous, and Emmeth had to navigate through ancient forests cursed with perpetual darkness, cross mighty ferocious rivers, and battle grotesque monstrosities that lurked in the shadows. Yet, his determination never wavered, guiding him like an unwavering beacon.
Finally, after a multitude of trials, he reached the outskirts of Zahara. It was nestled amidst towering mountains and shrouded in a pleasant, radiating aura that soothed his weary soul. However, he also noticed a strong, impenetrable invisible wall.
It was then that Emmeth noticed the grooves on the stone map; it wasn't just a map; it was a key. He pressed the stone into the ground, and suddenly, the air shimmered, and the barrier dissipated to reveal the glorious city of Zahara.
Overwhelmed by the magnificence of Zahara, Emmeth ventured deeper into the city. To his surprise, Zahara was not only a resplendent city but also a city of wisdom and knowledge. It was inhabited by ancient scholars and mystics who had obtained the secrets of life endurance and prosperity.
Upon meeting Emmeth, the city inhabitants greeted him with joy, for his arrival marked a new era. They welcomed him, teaching him their wisdom, including healing, governing, and the art of peace. They also shared their prophecy about a great war looming over Eddings and how Emmeth was the beacon of hope.
Once ready, Emmeth returned to Mennara. He shared the knowledge and wisdom of Zahara which in turn transformed Mennara and neighboring towns. Due to this transformation, when war knocked at Eddings, it was not met with weapons and bloodshed, but through the power of wisdom, and peace that Zahara had bestowed upon Emmeth.
The prophecy was fulfilled; despair did not last forever. Eddings learned to live harmoniously under Emmeth's wise leadership. The once lost city of Zahara was no more a myth, but a beacon of hope for the world.
Emmeth, the blacksmith's son, became Emmeth, the Savior of Eddings, fulfilling a prophecy and transforming a world from ordinary to extraordinary.