《The Legacy of Gilgamesh》Chapter 43 Ancient Tomb 4
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The lords couldn't believe their eyes as they approached the high platform, the golden mound below their feet seemed to stretch on forever. But what caught their attention was the object sitting atop the platform, it was the Holy Artefact they had heard of in legends and myths.
The artefact was said to have been created by Gaia himself, and was buried in the resting place of King Auther. This was the legendary sword of kings, Excalibur, along with the flame that drove the enemy of humanity out of their home and burned endlessly. The thought of possessing such powerful objects was overwhelming, they could barely contain their excitement as they gazed upon the shimmering blade with the design of burning waves. And the the undying flame which symbolized the unending power and wealth that the two city lords were about to attain. It was truly a moment of pure awe and wonder, as they stood before the fabled artefact of Gaia.
The body on the stone platform at the foot of the statue is adorned in fine, ornate garments studded with precious gems. The crown perched on top of its head is made of gold and encrusted with diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. The sword held by its chest is unlike any that the city lords or their men have ever seen before. Its blade shimmers with a light and the handle is wrapped in gold and encrusted with gems of every color. The hilt of the sword is adorned with intricate carvings, depicting scenes of battle and valor. It is as if the sword has a life of its own, pulsing with a mysterious energy that fills the chamber with its aura.
The aura surrounding the statue and the body seemed to be otherworldly, like a bridge between the realm of the living and the dead. The sword held by the corpse seemed to be the source of the light, and the lords could feel its power even from a distance.
They approached the statue cautiously, their minds filled with reverence and awe. The glittering gems on the body and the sword seemed to be alive, pulsing with an energy that defied description. The two city lords could feel their own hearts pounding as they finally reached the foot of the statue and gazed upon the sword in all its glory. The undying flame held in the Statue hands, and Excalibur which lays on the king chest, was more magnificent than anything they had ever seen, and the realization that it was within their grasp was almost too much to bear.
"Behold, what magnificent beauty we have stumbled upon." Lord Altvin spoke with a regal tone.
"Indeed, this grand statue stands in reverence to the eternal. A being of divine presence, surrounded by an aura of radiance," Acus echoed in awe.
"And there, at the foot of this magnificent statue, we see the resting place of a sovereign. Dressed in the finest gems and adorned with a grand crown, the symbol of their authority," Lord Altvin continues.
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"Yes, the sword held firmly to their chest, a symbol of their bravery and valor. A weapon wielded in the defense of their people, a symbol of their unwavering resolve," Acus added with reverence.
"Look at his face Lord Altvin, so peaceful and serene. As if he's watching over us, blessing us with his divine presence." Acus whispered in awe, his voice trembling with emotion.
"Indeed, a moment to be remembered and retold, a treasure to be guarded and protected. A legacy to be passed down through generations," Lord Altvin concluded.
The two lords stood in silence, lost in their thoughts and the awe-inspiring sight before them. The knights, soldiers, and gravediggers all knelt in reverence, paying their respects to the king and the deity he represented. The aura of holiness and power was felt, filling the cave with a sense of sacredness and reverence.
It was as if the ancient king and the deity he served were speaking directly to their hearts and souls. Tears streamed down many faces as they basked in the divine light, feeling humbled and unworthy. But at the same time, they were grateful for the privilege of witnessing such a magnificent sight.
Auther was a legendary figure in the world, remembered for being the first king and for building the True Statue of Gaia. This statue was said to be a manifestation of the will of the gods and was revered by the Holy Church as a symbol of their connection to the divine.
Acus, filled with a mixture of emotions as he stands in front of the True Statue. Despite his racing heart, he manages to keep his composure and maintain a calm demeanor.
Lord Altvin in awe of the True Statue and the secrets that it holds. He believes that the statue is not the most important item in the Tomb of King Auther. Instead, he is drawn to the sword that lies within the tomb. The mere sight of the sword causes Altvin to shutter and his eyes to gleam with excitement. He started talking to Acus to calm his nerves.
But the young Acus Harold was transfixed by the sight of the long sword, known as Excalibur, in front of him. Despite Altvin's words, he pays no attention to his companion, his eyes locked on the mythical treasure. He can feel his breathing quickening with anticipation.
Excalibur is a holy artifact, crafted by Gaia, the god of humanity and creation. Its reputation as a sword that could turn a mere boy into a powerful king has made it a source of fascination and longing for many generations. However, the two city lords were initially hesitant to approach the sword. They were aware of the legends and myths surrounding the artifact and feared its power.
But their greed and desire for the artifact gradually overcame their fear, and the two city lords began to make their way toward the corpse of King Auther.
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His body was still as it had been thousands of years ago, with eyes wide open and a bitter expression on his face. The sword, Excalibur, was plunged deeply into his chest, as if he had fallen in battle. Despite the passage of time, King Auther's body appeared lifelike and almost as if he were simply sleeping with his eyes opened and could move at any moment.
The sight of King Auther's body and the sword, Excalibur, was both serene and eerie.
Tick, tick. The sound echoed through the musty cave, filling the air with a sense of foreboding. Suddenly, the silence was broken by the gentle pitter-patter of drops hitting the ground. The lords of the city looked down in horror as they saw a thick, ruby-red liquid seeping from the ground. The blood of a man who died centuries ago still flowed fresh and vibrant, a macabre reminder of his existence.
Altvin couldn't help but take a step back, fear gripping his heart as he gazed upon the blood. His soldiers muttered nervously among themselves, their hands tightening around their swords as they prepared for the worst. Some of the slaves couldn't bear the eerie atmosphere of the cave and quickly backed away, ready to flee at the first sign of danger.
Despite the growing tension, Acus remained steadfast, his eyes fixed firmly on the sword. Some might have called him bold, others foolish, but he stepped forward with determination, driven by a singular purpose. With a swift movement, he reached out and grasped the sword of God, Excalibur. The mere touch of the blade sent shivers down his spine, as if he had been given a glimpse into the world beyond.
"STOPPED, YOU FOOL!" Altvin yelled, his voice filled with a mixture of fear and desperation. Despite the urgency in his tone, his voice was raw and hoarse, as if he had been shouting for hours on end.
The sword of God, Excalibur, shuddered as if it had been provoked, and a dazzling beam of light erupted from its tip. The light was so intense that it felt as though the entire cave was being consumed by it. Acus Harold, who had been so bold just moments before, was now caught in its grasp, unable to move or escape.
As the light enveloped him, he tried to struggle, but it was too late. And he too realized the end was here.
"Farewell." Slowly, he faded away into dust, and his remains were carried away by the wind, his body dispersed into the air like a handful of ashes. It was a sad and deathly end for a man who had dared to reach for the sword of God.
Altvin stood frozen, watching as the remains of his comrade were carried away by the wind. The cave was silent once again, except for the sound of the wind whistling through the cracks in the walls. The sight of Acus fading away to dust was a haunting reminder of the power of the sword, and a warning of the dangers that lay ahead
The scene was chaos as the other soldiers and slaves were horrified by the sight of Acus turning to dust. Some of them stumbled backwards in fear, tripping over their own feet and falling to the ground. Others let out roars of terror, their voices echoing through the cave. A few of the knights, realizing the magnitude of the situation, dropped to their knees and started to pray for mercy, begging for divine intervention. The fear was palpable, and it seemed as though the very air was thick with dread.
The old lord, Altvin, lowered his head as he spoke, his voice bitter with regret.
"What a foolish man. Mortals simply cannot handle the power of Excalibur, as only God-chosen kings are capable of wielding it. Goodbye, Acus Harold, my nephew." The words carried a heavy weight, as if he was mourning the loss of someone close to him.
The origin of the Harold and Frith bloodline was the same, and at one time, they had been one family. But now, Altvin stood in the cave, surrounded by death and fear.
"Buzz."
The sound echoed through the cave as Excalibur is seemingly stimulated, a bright beam of light erupting from its tip and forming a picture in mid-air. The image depicts the Eden Plains, bathed in the soft glow of dawn. A teenager is seen kneeling in front of a magnificent figure, surrounded by a halo of gray light. The majestic figure hands the teenager a long sword and a burning flame, and the scene shifts to show the teenager growing from boy to man, and from man to hero. Finally, it shows the teenager becoming the first king, and the Excalibur piercing through his chest.
The soldiers and slaves, as well as Lord Altvin, held their breaths in awe as they gazed upon this ancient scene from the annals of history. Their eyes were heavily fixed on the image, unable to look away as they were drawn into the story playing out before them. The atmosphere was tense, as if the very air was charged with the weight of history and the significance of the moment. The image flickered and disappeared, leaving everyone in the cave to ponder the power and mystery of Excalibur.
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