(Sorry about the delay in getting this started, I haven't been in the best of moods lately...well, here goes! Oh, and one more thing...this is not based on Star Wars.)
"It has been said many a time that evil lurks within the hearts of every man. But is it their heart, or their soul, where evil resides? The flames of hatred and destruction can be made to burn even in the heart of the purest being. How is this possible, I do not know. Why it occurs, humanity may never find out. However, it has been determined that certain objects can trigger the soul to ignite the flames of hatred, but no explanation has been given as of yet..." -excerpt from an ancient scroll unearthed in a ruin to the west of the Shuman Mountains
This story begins at the same site where the scroll was uncovered. A worker named Meigu has been hard at work for over five days, uncovering nothing since the scroll. His thoughts concentrated only on how much he is being paid for this job, he fails to notice the numerous half-eroded humanoid skeletons that he has dug past.
"This is the stupidest job we've done in months! I haven't found a single gil, let alone any REAL treasure!"
Almost as if guided by some divine hand, the next strike of his pickaxe broke open a hole into a strangely round cavern. Stunned by this sudden turn of events, he lowered himself into the cavern only to find it lined with gems and coins of every sort, with a silver sarcophagus in the center. A gleaming dagger was plunged deep into the chest of the sarcophagus, as if holding something between the two ancient hands...
“Holy…this is the mother lode! Ishtar, thank you! I’m rich!â€
The miner, ecstatic beyond all measures, danced about the room like a schoolboy in a candy factory. However, his joy was suddenly shattered when he remembered his contract. He was required to inform his employer of any finds.
“…damn…I’d better stash some of this treasure just in case the Boss decides to cut in on my find…â€
Meigu reached out and grabbed several handfuls of coins and a small dagger before his gaze centered on a star-shaped ruby the size of a human fist. The gem’s soft glow enticed him, pulling him closer. Without thinking, the miner snatched the gem and pocketed it.
“This looks like enough of a share for now…I’d better get topside and tell the Boss.â€
Meigu’s boss, Seth, was a kind-faced man of the early thirties who seemed to be one of the nicest people on Igala. However, he was slightly apprehensive and paranoid, so he always suspected his employees of performing the same act that Meigu had just done.
“Uh, boss? You should probably come take a look at this…â€
Meigu and Seth examined the room carefully, checking for any markings that might give information on a time period or a civilization they recognized. The only sign they found was a plaque at the feet of the sarcophagus, which simply read:
“HERE LIES THE SILVER WIZARD PHAEDRON. MAY HIS ACCURSED REMAINS ROT FOR ALL ETERNITY.â€
(To Be Continued tomorrow.)
Edited by: [url=http://pub30.ezboard.com/uwillbaseton.showPublicProfile?language=EN>WillBaseton</A] at: 7/14/02 2:54:11 am