Dawn was beginning to creep in golden and bronze threads across the towering mountain peaks that embraced the Dragon's Nest. This dawn was unlike any other for Abid, the Dragon Knight extraordinaire. Deep within him, a resolution had been crystallizing that had been harboring him since he first set foot in the Cave of the Elders and found the tattered Scroll of the Whisper. Elder Nardan's words, warning of other-dimensional hallucinations and contemplating the meaning of freedom within a defined path, did not deter him; rather, they strengthened his resolve.
Abid, with his bronze scales and gray eyes, stood tall, his body sculpted with 15 points of strength. He carried the weight of his newfound knowledge and felt a deep responsibility to his clan and all of the people of Siria. He knew that what he had discovered, or rather, what he had so vehemently suspected, could change everyone's outlook on existence. The idea that their world might be "merely a figment of the imagination of an entity called the Scribe," that they were "not commissioned by God," was earth-shattering. He couldn't ignore this potential reality.
His high Wisdom (29 points) and his superior Intelligence (23 points) always pushed him beyond the surface. He wasn't an ordinary knight content to protect his clan in the resource-rich southeast. He was a scholar, a philosopher, and with every swing of his great axe, his mind was occupied not only with technology but with the questions swirling around him.
In those early hours, while mist still shrouded the lush valley that housed the dragon's nest, Abid felt the gentle coolness of the air pierce his leather armor. He closed his eyes for a moment, conjuring up the image of the Beginning Star, the only point of reference in the Ceria sky. This star, said to be the "Eye of the Creator" or the "first spark of life," now took on a new and more mysterious meaning for him: it might be a "focal point of supernatural energy" and linked to the "beginning of existence." The tribe's ancient myths were no longer enough to satisfy his curiosity.
The day began to dawn, and as it awoke, so did Abid's urgent need to speak with his clan. This was no easy task. How could he explain to them that their existence might be just a story? How could he sow doubt in their minds without destabilizing them? Abid had always been known for being polite and considerate, and this made him careful with his words.
The Clan Gathering:
With the sun slightly higher, the time had come. Abid sent out invitations through the young men of the clan to gather the elders and warriors in the main square, a spacious, cobblestone-lined space nestled amidst their rock-hewn homes. The air carried the scent of freshly baked bread and the smoke of fireplaces, the voices of children playing in the distance, and the elders of the clan exchanging quiet conversations. As they gathered, a solemn silence fell upon Abid's arrival. He stood tall, but with a humble tone that reflected his character. "My people, honored sons of the Wings of the Horizon," Abid began, his deep, quiet voice carrying sincerity, "I have spent long nights meditating, long hours training, not only to hone my physical strength, but also my mind and spirit." He raised his great axe slightly, a sign of his strength, then lowered it slowly. "Long ago, our wisdom (29) whispered to me of secrets deeper than those handed down. Secrets that transcended the borders of our clan, and even the vast continent of Siria."
He looked at the expectant faces before him. He saw worry in the eyes of many, curiosity in others. He knew that his charisma (10 points) and wisdom were his main tools for persuading them. "I have found glimpses of ancient knowledge, whispers that speak of the Beginning Star we see every night, not just a light in the sky, but a focal point of supernatural energy that may be connected to the beginning of all our existence. Most importantly, these whispers spoke of an entity called 'The Scribe,' and of our world, the world of Ceria, as a story of its imagination. And that we are, it was said, 'uncharted by the divine.'"
Frequent murmurs filled the room. These words were strange, shocking. Orcan, a veteran knight who had trained Abid in his youth, intervened. "What are you saying, Abid? Are you doubting our myths, our faith?" Orcan asked, his voice filled with doubt and surprise.
"I am not doubting, Orcan, but rather seeking the ultimate truth," Abid replied calmly and steadily. "If this is true, then what is the meaning of our actions? Are our goodness and refinement merely scripted roles? Is our freedom real?" Abid was presenting to them the philosophical conflict that had consumed his being. "The Sheikh of Sages
Nardin warned me of the dangers of exploring this, but he also told me that true freedom lies not in choosing a path, but in knowing that you are on a path. He told me that meaning lies not in the source of the story, but in how you live it."
"My decision crystallized," Abid continued, "that I must embark on a journey. A journey in which I search for more answers, for evidence that confirms or denies these whispers. A journey to see if we, as races in Seria, can find our freedom within this framework, or perhaps outside of it.
"Where are you going, Abid?" asked Lerna, a young knight who was gazing at Abid with admiration and respect.
"My first destination will be the Ghedi Collection, the legendary library containing rare and ancient volumes," Abid replied. "There, I hope to find more references to the Scribe and the Star of Beginning, and deepen my understanding of the origins of our world."
The clan was silent, absorbing the weight of his words. No one objected forcefully; Abid's status as a super dragon knight and his reputation as a wise and refined man prevented them from doubting him. But sadness began to appear on their faces.
Farewell and Preparation:
After the meeting, Saria, an elderly woman whom the clan regarded as a grandmother to everyone, approached him. Her eyes glistened with tears. "My son, your journey is fraught with danger. Seria is a vast continent, and the northwest regions are fraught with danger and scarce resources. You will face bandits like Seridalim sharks, and monstrous supernatural beasts beyond our reach."
"I know, Saria," Abid said, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, "but I am a super dragon knight. I have strength (15) and power. I will deal with the challenges with wisdom and strength, and I will try to avoid excessive violence, in keeping with my good nature."
The hours that followed were filled with sad farewells. Every member of the clan wanted to take one last look at Abid, the man who represented hope and strength to them. The children stared at him in awe, wondering about the secret of his departure, while the adults offered their blessings and wishes for his safe return.
Abid began preparing for his journey. He didn't need much. A Dragon Knight like him relied more on his abilities than on any physical equipment. But he made sure to take the essentials. First and foremost, his great axe, which had been his companion in countless battles and which had now become a symbol of his highest purpose.
Then, he examined his leather armor, which was not only for protection but also part of his identity as a knight. He gathered some basic provisions: bread and dried juice, and a small leather bag that somehow stored things but weighed nothing. It was a near-supernatural piece of jewelry that his clan used for lightweight storage. He placed some of the empty scrolls he hoped to fill with knowledge from the Gedi Collection.
He remembered that he would have to travel across the vast continent of Seria. In the Cave of the Elders, he had seen ancient maps and references to supernatural portals, such as the Yalasha Gate and the Shab Gate, which "connect the great cities." These portals would be crucial on his long journey, for even if he was a superdragon knight, distances in Seria required more than just walking or running.
Before leaving, he passed by Elder Nardan one last time. Nardan found him sitting in his cave, the scent of incense filling the air. "I have decided then," Nardan said without opening his eyes, "the journey of the knower will begin." "Yes, Elder Nardan," Abid replied, "I cannot live with this doubt. I must know." "Remember," Nardan said, "the search for insight beyond the veil can be fraught with danger. Hallucinations await those who stretch their gaze into other dimensions. You may see errors in the fabric of the story, and this may confuse the mind and cause it to lose its mind. I have seen people fall prey to these delusions before. Beware, for you may encounter characters like Aipath of the Wood Elves, cursed with hallucinations and searching for a supernatural artifact to break them. These phenomena are not merely imaginary; they may be interferences from other dimensions."
"I will not allow my mind to wander," Abid promised. "I will use the mind-stimulating ability I hope to master to understand languages, but beware of headaches and jaw numbness as side effects."
"I wish you well, Seeker," Nardan said. "Remember that your good deeds, your refinement and consideration for others, are what define your soul, not the source of your story."
The Moment of Departure:
At dawn the following day, Abid stood at the entrance to the clan. A small group of relatives and friends had gathered to bid him farewell. Silence reigned, only the sound of the winds blowing from the valley and the rustle of the dragons' wings, which flew overhead as a symbol of protection and farewell. Abid embraced Orkan and Saria and exchanged final words with Lerna, who wished him to return in peace and new knowledge. Abid looked one last time at his home, at the mountains that had witnessed his upbringing, at the faces he had loved and protected. His heart was heavy, but his resolve was like a mountain, unshakable. "I will return," he promised them, "I will return with the truth, whatever it may be."
Abid set off. His steps were steady and strong. He carried on his back the burden of profound questions about meaning, existence, and freedom. His journey to the Gedi Collection was just the beginning. On his way, he would pass through the resource-rich southeast, where the wildlife of Seria was "extremely diverse and perfectly adapted to its environment." Still, eventually, he would head into the unknown, his heart filled with the desire to unlock greater mysteries. He might stop at a well-known tavern like the Green Deer to gather information and listen to the tales of travelers, a tavern famous for serving salt beef with cold juice. These were just stations on the path to knowledge.
Seria's sky looked down upon him with its single star, the Star of Beginning. Now it seemed brighter, as if illuminating the path, inviting him to uncover its deepest secrets. He was no longer just a knight wielding an axe, but a seeker bearing the burden of the world on his shoulders.
With every step, he pondered the words of Elder Nardan. Would the writer reveal himself? Would they truly find freedom, or were they merely characters in an eternal tale? These questions would haunt him until he unlocked their answers, or until he discovered that the answer lay within the journey itself. Abid began his journey, completely unaware of the true dangers that awaited him, the allies he might encounter, and the enemies who might appear to impede his pursuit of truth. He relied on his status as a superdragon knight of the dragon race, and this strength and wisdom would be tested in the days and weeks to come.
Abid knew that his journey was not about amassing material treasures, but rather a spiritual and philosophical one. His significance lay not merely in his fighting prowess or his great axe, but in his sharp mind (23) and rare wisdom (29). This was the "decision to depart," the true beginning of the story journey of Cognizant.