The Willow of the Wasteland, and the Lost City
Once, in a time not defined by man, a peculiar willow tree grew in the heart of a wasteland. This wasn't an average wasteland though, and certainly, this wasn't an ordinary willow. They were the results of an ancient curse that had erased a thriving kingdom and its vibrant city off the face of the earth. Beneath the hardened crust of the wasteland, lay the remains of the once prosperous city. This city, now almost forgotten, still echoed with the laughter, joy, sadness, and despair of its former inhabitants. Their muffled tales of glory and tragedy, buried deep under the earth's crust, were etched in the underworld's silence and were heard only by the haunting wind that crossed the barren wasteland.
In the midst of this lifeless plain, the single willow stood, carrying the weight of an entire civilization in its roots. It was born from a single seed that miraculously managed to survive the divine wrath. Under its voluminous shadow, the parched ground seemed to rebel against the scorching sun, preserving a unique piece of an era long lost, whispering the untold tale of the lost city to anyone willing to listen.
Legend spoke of a mighty king who once ruled these lands, his heart filled with love for his people. He had a beautiful daughter as radiant as the morning sun. One day, a despicable sorcerer from a distant land visited the city, aiming to seize the throne by bewitching the mind of the king's only child. However, his plans were foiled by a heroic guard who revealed his vile intentions to the king. Enraged, the sorcerer cursed the city to extinction, leaving nothing but an empty wasteland and the willow tree, the last remnant of the king's beloved daughter.
Centuries passed, but the willow stood firm, a symbol of hope against immense desolation. It bore the scars of a history forgotten, the testament of a premise on which destiny had played its cruel game. It became the only companion of the wandering wind, sharing a haunting rhythm that echoed the sorrow, joy, fervor, and defeat of the lost civilization. A testament of time, the willow wept in solitude, longing for companionship and yearning for an impossible return.
One fateful day, a weary traveler stumbled upon the wasteland. Bewildered by the sight of a lone tree in the midst of desolation, he decided to spend the night beneath its welcoming shade. As he slept, he dreamt strange dreams filled with flying colors, cheering crowds, and a city that buzzed with life. Awoken by the brilliance of his dreams, the man decided to dig into the terrain that the tree guarded.
Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and the man's perseverance finally paid off. Beneath the hardened dust and debris, he unearthed a large bronze gate marked with unknown symbols. With utmost care, he pushed the gate open, revealing the lost city, perfectly preserved as if frozen in time.
It was as if he had stepped into a different era. Amazingly, the desolation above had not plagued the city below. It still possessed its splendid charm, with grandeur that reflected its past glory. The city echoed with the sounds of life, of laughter, and of lament that seemed to have been locked away for centuries.
The man decided to share this discovery with the world and remind them of a once-triumphant civilization and its catastrophic downfall. As the news spread, people from across the world flocked to marvel at the unique relic of a forgotten time.
Today, the willow tree, once the lone sentinel of desolation, stands proudly amidst renewed excitement, as if its timeless whispers of the city beneath have finally been heard. As the preservation of the uncovered city began, the people decided to leave the tree undisturbed at the city gate, a symbol of the past, the present, and the future.