History is rich with lore, for those Scholars willing to delve deep into ancient tomes and dusty manuals. To find the hidden clues and solve the mysteries of ages gone by.
Yet even for academics such as these, there exists a point at which no further records exist. Nothing written, no data-encoded crystal, no engraved rock. Not even a fossilised remain, or a ruin floating through the cold void.
The only thing that remains from that time, that Long Dark, are stories. Though to call them stories is to do an injustice to their true state. These ancient tales in the innumerable eons since their inception have evolved into something far greater. They permeate every civilisation, every people, whether they know it or not.
And so we call them Myths. This is the apex of study for any Scholar of Lore - to become a Mythologist. Of course, piecing together these primordial fables, shattered into a million pieces and scattered across all existence is no easy task. Many look upon them as fools pursuing an impossible goal. Others with respect for their perseverance.
And some, with fear. For they understand that stories have power. And Myths are the most ancient stories of all.
***
Of course, at the end of the day, these Myths have long since disappeared from the stage of existence. Most hardly think about them more than a passing curiosity, or a late night tale.
Others shun the entire concept, stating that they themselves are enough to overshadow any Myth.
Others still, believe that Myths still walk among them, hidden away.
That's because they're usually clinically insane, suffering from severe hallucinations, lack of insight and delusions of adequacy. We in this story stay far, far away from such corrupting ideals. Ahem, then let us continue where we left off:
Jeffbob and Ziriothrax entered through the double doors into an open foyer. The lush red carpet was soft under their feet, lying on top of a rich, dark oak floorboard. There were a few armchairs scattered about and a few accompanying tables with some newspapers lying on them.
Before they had a chance to get a closer look, they heard the double doors closing behind them and the heavy footsteps of the Mayor approaching.
"Now then", the Mayor said. "Let me show you to my office: follow me"
He strode forward with confident steps, leading the way past the empty receptionists desk and to the back of the open foyer. There, partially hidden in the shadows, was a bronze door with a conspicuous key hole.
The Mayor extended a hand and with a flourish of his wrist produced a bronze key from thin air. Sliding it into the lock, he twisted firmly and the clanking sounds of several mechanisms could be heard. With a ding, the door slid to the side, revealing what looked like a fairly standard lift illuminated rather dimly by a single lightbulb hanging from a wire.
The Mayor gestured to Jeffbob and Ziriothrax.
"After you, dear guests."
"Thank you, young Mayor", Jeffbob rumbled in response, stepping into the lift with Ziriothrax close behind. The Mayor stepped in after them and pressed the gilded button labelled four with a gauntleted finger.
"Nice lift", Ziriothrax spat out derisively. "Is what I would say if I were lying"
'Ouch, even for me that was cold'
"..."
Saving the Mayor from having to deign that with a response, the lift began to move with a groan of machinery. Apart from the door that was a proud bronze colour, the other three walls resembled a ribcage of iron. The lattice arrangement of the bars criss-crossed allowing the passengers to see the yawning chasm the lift was travelling inside.
Jeffbob in particular seemed to occasionally nod or raise a foreleg as if waving back at something looming in the darkness. Of course, the lift was NOT an enchanted device that allowed travel across planes through a liminal space discovered by chance and housing many beings older than time and so Jeffbob's actions could be ignored like a mental patient talking to a wall.
Mayor Shade's trembling hands and Ziriothrax's eye twitches every time Jeffbob made another gesture were entirely unrelated matters.
Eventually, the clanging came to a stop and the lift dinged once more, the bronze door sliding open to reveal a large study. The Mayor once again stepped aside, allowing his two guests to step past him.
The study consisted of two levels, the top level was lined almost entirely with bookshelves filled to the brim with tomes and scrolls. It was accessible from a wooden stairway situated on one side of the room. There was a little room for walking on the top floor as well as several alcoves filled with more books, no doubt of a particular classification.
The bottom floor had a large desk at the far end, facing away from the lift and towards a floor to ceiling mirror overlooking the entire town. From this vantage point, beyond even the borders of the town, a massive forest could be seen. Further still, the horizon was blocked by a towering range of craggly peaks as though we were hidden in some gargantuan caldera.
"No need to stand on ceremony, please take a seat while the refreshments arrive"
"Then we shall take you up on that kindly, young Mayor"
Jeffbob walked forwards and took a comfortable seat in one of the two sofas facing each other just before the Mayor's large mahogany desk. How he did this with the body of a horse and folded wings on his back? Who knows.
Ziriothrax in turn hopped up on the opposite sofa, looking rather comical. Due to his size of course. He's tiny. The Mayor walked around and sat on an armchair at one end, settling into it with a deep sigh.
"These old joints need oiling more and more frequently, I find", he sighed melancholily. "You wouldn't know it but running a town takes a lot out of you, let alone one like this."
"From where I'm sitting, you seem perfectly content", Jeffbob's deep voice was filled with mirth. The Mayor paused, thinking for a few seconds before laughing.
"I suppose so, even if it does have its moments, I wouldn't trade this for anything", he replied as he gazed wistfully out of the window. Ziriothrax, on the other hand, visibly cringed, interjecting as though he could barely take any more soppiness.
"Enough with the pleasantries", he squeaked menacingly. "I've come here out of my own curiosity, not for any other ridiculous reason. How about you tell us what you want to say, or stop wasting our time."
"Very well then", Mayor Shade replied coldly, his metallic voice suffuse with an undeniable majesty. "Let us dispense with the charades."
His presence seemed to magnify though he still sat in the same position, unmoved, as though an ancient spirit once slumbering was finally rearing its head. When he spoke, his tone was heavy and solemn.
"Wanderers like yourselves have a...colourful history with this place. Too many times they have been the sparks that have ignited the barrels of gunpowder people like myself try so hard to keep dormant. When I first sensed the familiar reek of transplanar residue, I was worried that another cataclysm was approaching. However, when I saw that it was so strong, I realised that you were still new here.
"And that meant I had an opportunity. One in which discourse may prevail over our baser instincts."
He spread his hands wide in a gesture of openness.
"And so I thought what better way than to have a conversation. Over some snacks of course".
Snacks...Follow...my...stomach?
Jeffbob's glacial thoughts seemed to approach some form of crystallisation, before they were interrupted by a small imp bursting into existence with a pop to the side of the table. It was dressed impeccably in a black tailcoat, white gloves and crisp waistcoat and carried a metal tray loaded with colourful treats and three steaming China cups of tea.
With a ramrod straight back, he placed them delicately on the table, placing each cup on a coaster in front of the three beings, before bowing to the mayor and disappearing in another sharp pop.
"What do you say, then?", the Mayor asked. After a few moments silence, Jeffbob responded.
"I have never been known to turn down snacks...I think, at least"
The Mayor then turned his gaze onto Ziriothrax with a silent question, who grumbled under his breath before grabbing one and stuffing his face grumpily.
"Well then, I for one am glad it turned out like this", the Mayor sighed in obvious relief. "It would have pained me to have to obliterate you for the sake of this world, truly."
Ziriothrax's eyes glinted but his full mouth prevented him from speaking without choking, while Jeffbob chuckled.
"Me too, young Mayor, a fight is never a first resort. You have done well to remember that. Of course, you should never forget that ideals alone are not self-sustaining."
"True enough, though without those ideals we would never have had the chance to even exchange these words".
Jeffbob took another bite, before adding amusedly.
"Nor me taste these snacks. I find that you can tell enough about a place by the quality of their snacks."
The Mayor pondered this for a few seconds.
"A telling insight, one that on retrospect I find to be surprisingly true."
Ziriothrax had just managed to finish his first, overambitious mouthful, and squeaked out in rabid defiance.
"Heh, how privileged of you", he jeered. "With all your talk of ideals, you seem content to sit here in your little slice of utopia. Hypocrisy incarnate."
Mayor Shade merely sighed without retort, and replied gravely.
"The circumstances of my situation are...unfortunate. However, that is not what we are here to discuss on such a rare occasion. Please, if you could tell me of how you arrived onto our world, I may be of greater help?"
Ziriothrax sneered in silence, taking another bite instead of speaking. Jeffbob, ignoring or more likely unaware of Ziriothrax's actions, replied in his stead.
"We were summoned."
The Mayor leant forward, putting down the teacup he was about to sip from and fully focused on Jeffbob's words.
"A ritual, rather splendid in its design if I may say so. I myself was in a particular situation at the time so I had no reason to reject the pull. We completed the Second Exchange and were deposited just in that forest over yonder. After a brief and entertaining conversation with a young grove, we made our way here and, well, you know the rest."
Jeffbob paused his speech to take another bite of the snacks, washing it down with a dainty sip of the fragrant tea while the Mayor stewed in silence.
"A ritual, you say? And, ah how should I put this...are those who summoned you still...whole and healthy?"
Ziriothrax snorted a reply.
"You think whole and healthy people would be conducting secret summoning rituals in dark, dingy caverns? Any madness or injury they had were purely self-inflicted. I did nothing."
"I will have to take your word for it. It sounds like you have barely had a chance to breathe since arriving. Then let me at least formally introduce myself and this place. I am Mayor Shade, and this humble village is called the Town of Endings."
Jeffbob paused with a snack midway to his mouth and replied.
"I am Jeffbob the Bobjeff."
"..."
Ziriothrax braced himself for some kind of something, but after nothing happened he shrugged his insect shoulders and squeaked out.
"I have many names, many titles. You can call me Ziriothrax."
'Wouldn't want to overwhelm the poor guy like that Fluvious fellow. Though my instincts tell me this one would put up a lot more resistant...well a little test of courage shouldn't hurt...'
His thoughts were interrupted when he felt a sharp gaze from Jeffbob and he closed his mouth just as he was about to continue.
'Damn it, he saw through it that quickly? What could it have been, intent? Recursive reality? Fate? No, no no. The answer has already been given to me. It is the same as it was on that ghastly planet. Sanity is being eroded quicker and quicker...what will happen when none remains?'
Ziriothrax giggled malevolently.
'I, for one, cannot wait to find out'
"Jeffbob and Ziriothrax", the Mayor's metallic voice interrupted his internal ranting. "Then I shall, on behalf of all of us, welcome you to this place:
"To Unitopia"