Abid's first steps away from the warmth of the Dragon's Nest were filled with a dual feeling: the weight of responsibility and the surge of hope. He looked one last time at the towering peaks that embraced his birthplace, where the bronze scales of dragons glittered in the early morning sun. The wind whispered farewells, and the rustle of the dragons' wings soaring above reminded him of the vow he had made: he would return with the truth, whatever it might be. This promise resonated within him like an echo, giving him the strength to face the unknown.
Abid, the Super Dragon Rider, was tall, his body sculpted with power (15), his bronze scales glowing in the dawn light. His gray eyes, bearing the depth of his 29-point wisdom and supreme intelligence (23), stared into the distant horizon. He was no longer just a protector of his tribe, but a seeker burdened with profound questions about the meaning, existence, and freedom. He knew that this journey was not to loot treasures, but rather a spiritual and philosophical one.
In his hand, he clutched his great axe, his companion in countless battles, which had now become a symbol of his ultimate goal. On his back, he carried his leather armor and meager provisions, as well as his small leather bag. It contained empty scrolls that he hoped to fill with knowledge from the Ghedi Collection. This bag, a near-supernatural object of jewelry, symbolized his focus on intangible knowledge rather than riches.
Across plains and valleys:
His first destination was clear: the Ghedi Collection, the legendary library containing rare and ancient volumes. But reaching it required crossing the vast continent of Ceria, whose landscapes varied greatly. Abid set out from the southeast, a resource-rich region characterized by lush greenery and fertility. The golden rays of the sun filtered through the dense foliage of the trees, painting moving pictures of light and shadow on the ground. The air was crisp and fresh, carrying the scent of wildflowers and morning dew. Abid heard the sounds of diverse wildlife: birds chirping, tree branches rustling, and gazelles grazing peacefully in the expansive meadows. He remembered Old Saria's words about the perils of the road, how the northwest regions were filled with "dangers and scarce resources," and that bandits and savage supernatural beasts posed a significant threat. But he was a super dragon knight, confident in his ability to handle challenges with wisdom and strength. Walking through the verdant meadows, Abid encountered a small caravan of human traders carrying goods of crops and textiles, bound for a nearby town. He stopped to greet them, smiling politely, a characteristic he was known for among his clan. "Peace be upon you, travelers," he said in his soothing voice. "Has your journey been peaceful?" The caravan leader, a man with a white beard and tired eyes, responded with apprehension at first, then was reassured by Abid's polite appearance and his armor, which indicated his status. "Peace be upon you, my lord knight. The road is safe, thanks to the one God, but caution is always necessary. Rumors speak of increased activity by bandit gangs in the plains near the border."
Abid thanked them for their information and bid them farewell with a smile, continuing on his way. His goal was not to gather information about daily dangers, but rather to gather whispers of the wider world, ones that might lead him to a deeper understanding of the writer and the star of the beginning. He passed through quiet rural areas, watching farmers in their fields and children playing, and this tranquil scene prompted Sheikh Nardan to question the meaning of their existence. Was this life, with its simplicity and complexity, merely part of a written text? Or was there a true spirit and freedom within it that transcended any framework?
As he passed, Abid felt hungry and remembered a well-known tavern that might be on his way. He wasn't seeking rest so much as an opportunity to gather information and listen to the tales of travelers. He saw a wooden sign swaying in the wind, depicting a green antelope grazing in a field, above a sturdy stone inn. This was the Green Deer, a large and well-known roadside tavern serving salt beef and cold juice.
Abid entered the tavern, greeted by the din of travelers' chatter, the clinking of glasses, and the delicious aroma of food. He found a seat in a quiet corner and ordered a simple meal. As he ate, he listened attentively to the scattered blarbing. He heard stories of hunters encountering Ceria beasts in the distant forests, of merchants complaining of heavy taxes in the major cities, and of rumors of ancient ruins discovered in the Western Regions. There was no direct information about the scribe or the star, but each story, each whisper, was a small piece in the fabric of this world whose secrets he sought to understand. Shab Gate: A Tunnel Through Space:
After days of travel, Abid reached the outskirts of the Sultanate of Dahiya, one of the major states in Seria, located near the resource-rich southeastern region. The capital, Shab, was a bustling and lively city, a far cry from the tranquility of the Dragon's Nest he was accustomed to. Its towering stone towers, crowded markets, and the sound of animal-drawn carts all testified to its centrality as a major metropolis.
The goal was to reach the Gate of Shab, one of the supernatural gates that connect the major cities. He had heard about it in the Cave of the Elders and knew it would be his primary means of traversing the vast distances of Seria. Abid followed signs written in the common language of the region, which he had mastered thanks to his intelligence (23), until he reached a large open square in the heart of the city.
There, in the center of the square, stood a massive and stunning architectural structure. The Gate of Shab was a gigantic stone arch, carved from a dark, lustrous stone that absorbed the light, and inlaid with glowing, pale blue symbols. The symbols etched on the gate resembled the pulse of living energy, and its enormous height was breathtaking. Uniformed guards stood around the gate, monitoring the flow of travelers waiting to enter.
Abid approached the guards politely and asked about the procedures for using the gate. One of the guards explained that the gates were open to everyone for a small fee and that they served to transport travelers to any other major city connected to the network. It took a few minutes to register his name and destination: "Eshlundhesi," the capital of the Aimluan Empire, located near the Gedi Collection.
As he waited for his turn, Abid pondered this extraordinary technology. In a world deemed literally medieval, these gates represented a huge leap in capabilities. Were these gates one of the writer's tools for shaping the world, or were they remnants of ancient civilizations he had woven into his story? These questions weighed on his mind, and with each discovery, his confusion deepened.
Abid's turn came. He stood at the entrance of the stone archway, feeling a subtle energy permeate his body. The glowing symbols on the gate glowed brighter, and he heard a low, deep humming sound fill the space. He took a step forward, then another. There was no sensation of jumping or falling. Instead, he felt as if he were dissolving into a viscous fluid of light, then reshaping in an instant. It was eerie, almost daydreamy, but incredibly real. The journey took only a split second.
Arrival at the Dwarven Capital:
When he opened his eyes, Abid found himself standing in a similar square, but with a very different overall appearance. The buildings here were shorter and more solid, carved into the rock, reflecting the character of the dwarves who inhabited the Aimluan Empire. The capital of Eshlondehisi was a magnificent city, with a calm and orderly atmosphere, not like the bustle of Shab. The air carried the scent of metal and burnt wood, typical of dwarven craftsmanship.
Abid found that this gate, like the previous one, was guarded. He confirmed his destination and then set out through the city streets. The Gedi Collection was not directly within Eshlondehisi, but a day's walk north, at the foot of a small mountain range known as the "Mountains of Knowledge."
Abid checked his direction by using the Beginning Star, which had begun to appear in the dark blue sky, a key reference point for determining directions. The landscape was changing again. After the fertile plains and coastal cities, he now saw rocky hills and rugged slopes, interspersed with dense pine forests. The air here was cooler, and the terrain suggested the presence of precious metals deep underground, a feature suitable for the dwarven culture as "highlanders."
During his walk, Abid noticed the meticulous construction of the roads paved by the dwarves, designed to withstand the harshness of nature. He reflected on how the different races of Seria coexisted and how the "origins and relationships" between them were based on standards of formal and moral beauty. He remembered that all the races of Seria came from "one place called the Beginning," and that this place was connected to the Star of Beginning. This profound understanding connected everything he saw and heard, adding another layer of complexity to his research.
Whispers of Ancient Knowledge:
Abid saw what seemed to be a huge building on the horizon, unlike any castle or fortress, as the sun started to set, smearing orange and red lines across the mountaintops. It was an imposing building, with gleaming white stone walls and a dark green roof spanning a vast expanse. This was the Gedi Collection.
With every step, Abid's sense of anticipation grew. He had traveled far, overcome dangers, and used supernatural powers to reach this place. His heart pounded, not with fear, but with anticipation. This was where he hoped to find answers, to unravel the mysteries of the Scribe and the Star of Beginning, and to deepen his understanding of the origins of their world.
He reached the gates of the Gedi Collection. The gates were dark oak, decorated with intricate carvings of symbols and writing in ancient languages. He stood for a moment, sensing the immense energy of knowledge locked within the walls. This library was not merely a place to store books; it was a temple of knowledge, a place where the echoes of centuries resonated.
Before stepping inside, Abid closed his eyes. He remembered Elder Nardan's warning about the "hallucinations of other dimensions" and the "flaws in the fabric of the story" that the Seeker might see. He remembered how a character like Aipath of the Wood Elves was cursed with hallucinations and was searching for a supernatural artifact to break them. He knew what awaited him might be mind-shattering, but his resolve remained unshaken. "I will not allow my mind to wander," he promised himself, believing that the "mind-stimulating ability" would be crucial to his journey through this library, remembering its side effects of headaches and jaw numbness.
Abid opened his eyes. The only star in the sky, the Star of Beginning, glowed with a bright blue light, as if watching him, guiding him, or perhaps inviting him to uncover its deepest secrets. This moment, standing before the threshold of a treasure trove of knowledge, was the culmination of his decision to depart. He was no longer just a knight wielding an axe but a scholar bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Abid took his first steps inside the Gedi Collection, his heart brimming with the desire to unlock greater mysteries. This was the true beginning of the "Journey of the Cognizant."
He hadn't expected what he saw. The library wasn't just a massive building; it was a world of knowledge unto itself. The aisles stretched before him endlessly, lined with dark wooden shelves topped with thousands, even millions, of rare and ancient manuscripts and volumes. The high walls were decorated with intricate carvings and drawings of celestial bodies and symbols he had yet to understand, while the ceiling of the main hall rose to form a transparent glass dome, allowing the light of the Star of Beginning to spill onto the stone slabs, giving the space an aura of magic and sanctity.
The air inside was cool and slightly damp, saturated with the scent of old paper, ink, and aged wood, along with a mysterious, cold, metallic aroma, suggesting hidden treasures and endless knowledge. The lighting was dim in most areas, emitted from gently glowing lamps and openings in the ceiling, making every corner seem as if it held a secret waiting to be revealed. Abid sighed deeply; this was exactly what he had been searching for: a treasure trove of knowledge that might hold the answers to his deepest questions about the Scribe and the Star of Beginning.
As he wandered around in amazement, he spotted an elderly librarian sitting behind a massive wooden desk in the heart of the hall. His face was etched with the wrinkles of years, and his eyes, despite their advanced age, were sharp and shone with intelligence. His thin hands were carefully turning the pages of an ancient manuscript.
Abed approached with the politeness that was his trademark. "Greetings, Sage," he said in his calm voice. "I have come in search of knowledge. I have heard of the Gedei Collection and the secrets it contains." The librarian, who introduced himself as "Elrius," slowly raised his head and looked at Abed. "Welcome, Dragon Rider. Few seek true knowledge these days. What drives a rider like yourself to leave the edge of the sword and search among the bookshelves?" Elrius asked, his voice grave but gentle.
"These are questions about the Star of Beginning that illuminates our lonely sky and about a mysterious entity called the Scribe, of whom ancient whispers say our world is but a fable," Abed explained calmly and in detail, outlining his noble purpose. I wish to understand the origins of our existence. Are we, as they say, 'not tasked by God,' or does our true freedom lie elsewhere?" Elrius nodded slowly. "These are great questions, Knight. And seeking them requires an open mind and unwavering patience. This place is a repository of thousands of years of wisdom, but it is also a labyrinth that can confuse less formidable minds." He gestured toward shelves stretching to the horizon. "You may begin here. You will find volumes in countless languages, some forgotten for ages. But I advise you to use your supernatural powers to help you in this sea of information. Remember that each new piece of information may increase your misunderstanding before it gives you clarity."
Giving permission, Abid began his journey through the ancient texts. He knew the first challenge was understanding the languages. He remembered Elder Nardan's warnings about hallucinations and the errors in the fabric of the story, and that the Mind Stimulation ability would be crucial. He closed his eyes, focused his intellect (23) and his high wisdom (29), and spoke the super-German phrase he had learned to stimulate his powers. He felt a surge of energy, the Mind Stimulation ability unleashed, and a stream of knowledge surged into his mind. He immediately began to feel its side effects: a dull headache throbbing in his temples and a gradual numbness in his jaw. But his determination and resolve were stronger. He pushed himself to continue, for his purpose was loftier than these physical pains. With each volume he picked up, strange symbols and words took on clear meanings in his mind, as if they were his native language. He spent long days, which turned into weeks, immersed in research. He read history, philosophy, and the ancient myths of all the races in Seria. One day, while flipping through an ancient manuscript written in dragonskin, he came across repeated references to an entity called "The Scribe." These weren't mere whispers this time, but more explicit texts describing him as an "architect of reality" and "not a god, but a created entity from the real world." The manuscript explained that the entire world of Ceria was "just a figment of his imagination." Abid felt profoundly astonished, for these words confirmed his deepest fears and philosophical questions. This was not just a narrator but a driving force, a being who structured everything they knew. This idea threatened the inhabitants' belief that they were "not tasked by God" and raised questions about morality and the meaning of good in a world that might as well have been written text.
Were his good deeds, his politeness, and his consideration for others merely roles written for him? This was a troubling question that threatened to shake the foundations of his morals and existence.
Abid continued his research, and in another volume, he found intricate ancient drawings. These were not just ordinary drawings but rather the "Star of Beginning" surrounded by incomprehensible symbols. The texts adjacent to these drawings indicated that the Star of Beginning was not just a celestial body, but rather a "focal point of supernatural energy" and "possibly linked to the beginning of existence itself." These drawings whispered that the star was more than just the "Eye of the Scribe" or the "first spark of life," as his clan's mythology held. Threads began to connect in his mind: the Scribe and the Star were inextricably linked in their origins.
As this information accumulated, Abid felt that theoretical knowledge was no longer sufficient. He needed physical evidence. On one of the old maps he found in a thick volume, he discovered clear references to the locations of "Ruined Settlement" and "Ruined Shrine," places that might hold more clues about the Scribe and the Star. These maps, which indicated the ruins of a shrine and ancient settlements, gave him a concrete destination to continue his research.
This was the crucial moment. He could no longer remain in the comfort of the library. It was time to move from theoretical study to field exploration. He looked at Elrius, the librarian, who was following him with a wise gaze. "I have found enough clues, Sage," said Abid. "Now it is time to find evidence in our world."
Elrius nodded. "I wish you well, Seeker. Remember, great questions often lead to greater dangers."
Abid emerged from Gedi with two new world maps in his mind and a heavier burden of knowledge. He was increasingly certain that the world of Seria was not merely what it seemed and that his true journey was just beginning. The star shone in the sky, as if it were guiding him way into the unknown, toward the Ruined Settlement.