An Old Map
Spread out before me is a paradise-like, otherworldly realm just as it was depicted on the old map. Two moons illuminate the sky, and plants I’ve never seen before bloom in profusion. Riding on the back of a unicorn, I cut through the wind as I race across the grasslands. The scent of the wind, the warmth of the earth, and the unicorn’s warm body heat all remind me that I truly exist in this world.
As if reading my mind, the unicorn moves forward without hesitation. Occasionally, it stops and gazes intently at the surrounding scenery. Its eyes hold deep wisdom and a mysterious light. Riding on the unicorn’s back, I play an ancient melody. The sound of the Atlantean lyre resonates with the energy of this world, creating an even more fantastical atmosphere.
I wonder how much time has passed. Eventually, the unicorn arrives before a massive waterfall. The water glitters like stardust, creating a magical scene. The unicorn stops in front of the waterfall, as if trying to convey something to me. I gaze into the unicorn’s eyes, striving to understand its meaning. Then I realize that the unicorn’s eyes are pointing toward a dimly lit cave hidden behind the waterfall.
I dismount from the unicorn and step into the cave. Inside, it is cool and damp. Ancient characters are carved into the walls, emitting a faint glow. Holding my crystal staff, I proceed cautiously through the cave. As I venture deeper, the light from the ancient characters grows stronger, and eventually, the entire cave is brightly illuminated. Then, a massive stone monument appears before my eyes.
This monument should contain vital information that serves as a guide to the “Place of Beginnings.” I approach the monument and take out the stone tablet I obtained at the Tower of Star-Readers. When I place the tablet against the monument, the ancient characters resonate, and the entire monument emits a dazzling light. As the light subsides, new characters emerge on the monument. They were mysterious characters unlike any I had ever seen before.
“Deciphering these characters will open the path to the ‘Place of Beginnings.’”
I stare intently at the characters carved into the monument. They were complex and cryptic, as if they were meant to unravel the laws of the universe. I draw upon all the knowledge and experience I have accumulated so far and set out to decipher them.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
