It had been long since the era of chaos ruled the lands, however the things that once had happened, the horrors and horrendous scars that litter the lands of the world continue to persist long deep after the era's slumber. Legends and stories from those ancient times have now long passed the minds of the intellectuals and the scholars.
Yet, The cultures and habits of many nations that came and went were built upon the foundation of those who lived in those times of suffering and pain heralded by the ones who brought change by laying the first flower —the Moonsow, unfortunately, they did not live long to see the times where their actions change the world. This world —Flœthe, in a far continent unnamed to many of its inhabitants, was born because of those two and yet they're relegated to nothing more than a single line in many history books.
"The two who even made the moon weep, the skies and the seas cry. The ones who made the world learn it's sheer stupidity."
———
Under the beauty of the night, with 2 pearls shining brightly to those who are underneath. At the center of the city, a wide space was filled with people with ravenous crackling of burning wood and the harmonious beat of instruments echoed well deep into the night.
A festival under the blessing of the night and fire. Joyful merriment with an exuberant atmosphere wafting out and about. Resplendence all about.
"Say. Have you all been enjoying the night so far?" Shouted one of the bards before getting a cacophonous cascade of cheers from everyone, "Then, Let us have this night! Through the Joys and the Tears. Couples! Young and Old! Married, Taken or Alone! Partner Up! It is time for the much anticipated…"
"Weltermoon's Moonsower's Dance!" shouted by those all around the city with fervor.
The excitement heightened when the crowd heard those words from the bard. The Troupe sombered up with the playing, some even chose to take a small rest or eat with only a few continuing to keep the beat at pace. Young men and young women alike started coupling, some carried by the frenzy steeled themselves to invite those whom they liked. A chaotic yet, quite joyful occasion indeed.
At the farther sides of the city, there was an inn that was in near empty, albeit with a few ragtag bunch of people. Likely the spare few that did not plan to join the festivities or just wanted to bask in the quiet of the night.
"You're not going to join?" Asked an old man as he slowly walked towards a corner of a tavern where someone seemed to be hiding from everyone else.
With hesitation noticeable on his voice and avoiding eye contact the other party answered quietly. "I don't have any plans to participate in these events. Don't bother me." as he continued shoveling food down his throat.
"Why? Is no one looking for you or are you looking for someone instead?" The old man added, a sly smile etched on his face. "Also, don't eat that fast. I won't ask for your meal.
"I don't need or see a reason why I should be participating in it," The young man looked at the old man with a growl, seemingly not wanting to be disturbed. "and how I eat is my problem. Don't bother me."
"Then, how about this? I'll tell you a story, quite an old one. Something that comes from a time immemorial to the one we live in now?" Unfazed by the looks that the young man had been giving him, he offered something instead.
"It's a little story from a time when legends, myths, epics did not exist in words but in the living truth."
"Then, you tell me about your story afterwards. So that we don't get bored from watching others make merry. We can have our own form of merriment in this little corner. Sounds good?"
Seemingly intrigued, the young man paused to look at the guy who, for him, just approached out of nowhere and started talking but he couldn't exactly just outright deny the offer, especially when he wasn't planning on participating in the festivities happening in the city.
For the young man, this old man had been pestering him since he had guided him to this city after stumbling into him while he was hunting for food both for his own and to sell in the Northern Forests. He thought that after he saved the old man a monh ago, it would have been the last they would meet but as fate would have it, the old man seemingly coincidentally met him everytime he went into the city to get supplies.
"And it seems like our little lady friend is also a bit interested." Said the old man as he gestured to the table over, where a hooded figure sat.
"—!"
"I find it quite infuriating that I'm being used as leverage to influence someone's decision but I also am intrigued at the proposition."
As soon as those words were said, a young lady of seemingly noble descent appeared, removing the hood that once covered their face and sat down beside the young man.
"An exchange of stories, to alleviate one's boredom." The young said as she called for the tavernkeep to bring food and beverages.
"Young lady—" The young man was cut off with a glare from the woman.
"There isn't any much of anything to do right now, is it? You rejected my offer once before. Are you going to reject an offer where I am interested in, for a second time?"
Those words seemed to cut off anymore responses from the young man but he knew he couldn't do anything against both his opponents.
"It seems like the young lady is interested, so how about it, young man? Will you not give this young lady a chance to hear this wanderer's story?" Smiling, the old man pressed the young man even more and soon enough without even giving the young man a chance to answer the question, the old man sat down in front of them and started narrating.
"There was once a dead man, who stood in the forefronts, seeing and experiencing the never ending truths and lies that was stitched into the existence of a chaotic world—"