Thursday, December 25, 2014

One Shot: Tower of Babel

This is a fun story I did in response to my friend's drawing. 


Drawn by patbunNF
Happy Holidays to all of you and I hope to see all of you next week with the rest of the story in Revelations of Dragons.!


  The stories passed down through generations of the tower destined to reach the sky, to reach the heavens. Different variations of this tale have been told, the most popular speaks of the tower being incomplete and destroyed by a God and in some people’s eyes ‘The God’. This variation of the story is quite complex. The location of the tower is unknown. Some say it fell with Atlantis, others say it is located in the Bermuda Triangle but in my family of the Zohans we believed in the guardian and the Gods.

  Among a multitude of mountains stood a tower encasing the crystal of truth. Rumor was, if anyone were to touch this crystal they would gain all knowledge and be all knowing. Three generations ago, my grandfather went to search for this ‘Tower of Babel’ and until recently told me about his journey every visit.

  Now, I am here to tell you about that journey and what he saw. He told me to never pursue this gorgeous place. Sadly, I swore on my blood that I wouldn’t. So, if you are brave and reckless enough to pursue the journey I will not stop you, but what I will do is warn you of the troubles that you will face.

-Juvan Zohan

--

  Only those of a true heart may be in the presence of the crystal of knowledge. Guthrav Zohan was the only recorded man to make the journey and live. Due to him being the only conquer of the quest, not many believe him but he never let that stop him from telling his tale.

  Guthrav Zohan was persistent in finding his path to all knowledge.  In fact, he was so persistent he left his family, only leaving a note of reminder that he would return. Listening to all the different stories of Babel lead him to Pakistan, Iran, and then Iraq (The land of Shinar otherwise known as The Holy Land).

  Avoiding the battles of man, Guthrav left the Holy Land to pursue the Tower of Babel elsewhere. He again set out to listen to the tales of Babel, writing them and comparing them. This lead him to the Lost City of Atlantis where he turned on his heels. What he found, he did not speak of but summarized it to me with ‘my experience of pursuing Atlantis lead me to knowledge, knowledge that I wish I could erase’. 

  Finally, when Guthrav was about to give in, Guthrav was lead to these unknown mountains. Many small villages were known throughout this land and all of the ones Guthrav encountered were peaceful. To try and make up for his absence at home, Guthrav searched the mountains for special gifts finding only minerals found on the mountains and views he could only tell of their beauty.

  Then one night, Guthrav took shelter in one of the small caves, only big enough to fit a small family for a shelter. Satisfied with his written work for the night, Guthrav slept near his dull fire to keep him warm. Drifting off to sleep, Guthrav suddenly awoke to the sound of a screech. When the screech was first heard he thought that it was a bird but Guthrav knew the sounds of the bird in these lands and that was not one of them. Curious, Guthrav sat up and turned towards the entrance of the cave and with a heart stopping gasp, a gust of wind swished through the cave, putting out his fire but leaving Guthrav in awe of the bulk of the creature. That night, he swore he would pursue the creature since the night would hide the mystery despite the side.

  That next morning Guthrav rose and quickly ate his breakfast that some villangers had prepared for his journey. Not knowing where to start, Guthrav headed towards the sun, all he knew was that the creature had passed his cave. As Guthrav used his climbing skills to scale the side of the mountain, Guthrav found animals that he didn’t believe were real. Below him were half bull half men that scouted the routes that the villagers warned about. He believed they were called Minotaur.

  Little pixies and fairies danced around Guthrav as he made his way towards the sun. They spoke none but were as amazed as he was at the sight of another being. Sailing from one mountain to another by using his equipment Guthrav took his first break. Eating a small snack and sitting by a small fire, Guthrav’s eyes widened at the sight. Heading north, was what he thought to be a bird once again but there was no doubt, this creature was not a bird. Its wingspan was longer than a vehicle he had ever seen, the sound that came from the creatures chest was a mix between a roar of a lion and a screech of a bird.

  Adrenaline rushing through him, Guthrav headed in the direction that the creature was flying and as he came closer he found that even after four days of pursuing the creature continued to fly in the same area. This only meant one result. The creature was guarding something. Ecstatic, Guthrav quietly side across the mountain to get a closer look. If he got too close to the creature it might mistaken him for a threat and he didn’t want such mistake. If Guthrav couldn’t find the crystal of knowledge in the tower of Babel he would at least let his story end with this magical creature.

  Laying in the shadows, Guthrav silently watched as the creature spread its wings to do its daily scout. Wide eyed, Guthrav pushed himself against the mountain as the creature flew lower than he had expected. Holding back a gasp, Guthrav noted exactly what he saw in his journal.

  “Its scales were outlined in black and filled with a bright red. Its wingspan was of at least four car lengths; two cars for each side. On the underside was a lighter color but the shimmer announced it to be a protective coat not easily broken by a missile. On its chest was what I thought to be a gem but as it flew back I realized it was a crystal. Its eyes were a darker red than its scales but it had a trail of thicker scales that traced down its tail and went up to its head. I assumed the creature had no visual ears but maybe it could hear through other means.

  Seeing a minotaur enter its territory it roared a warning. The half man half bull charge but had no luck going against the flames of this creature and with the sharp claws that it had, the creature slashed through the army that appeared after the fallen minotaur. Scared as I’ll ever be in my life, I watch the creature soar higher into the sky to continue its route. As it left and became a small spec of black in the sky I realized that the creature I had saw was indeed of legend, but as I stayed silent and still I found followers similar to this creature but not the same.

  These creatures were of many colors, most were solid and not as huge. In comparison to a person they were still massive but to the previous creature, there was a difference. Many of the creatures had two wings and four limbs. I was amazed to see one with two limbs and a beak and then a three headed creature, that was what I believe to be called a hybrid. But the name of the first creature slipped my mind. Slowly making my way to where the creatures were coming from I gawked at the sight.”

  There, a few mountains away was a tower marked with a glass encase of a crystal. The building was a sea green and the top was far up in the sky but below the crystal was a blue sphere like gem. Flying around it where more of these creatures that Guthrov encountered. Circling around the tower were many more of the creature. Heart beat visible out of his chest Guthrov’s footing slip and he bit his lip to silence his panic but it was already too late, approaching him, and fast was the dragon with the crystal in its chest.

  Loosening his equipment, Guthrov dropped and came to find one of the smaller creatures catching him from the fall. Amazed and frightened, Guthrov was forced to face the intimidating creature. Crystal shimmering, the huge creature headed towards the tower and the dragon that had caught Guthrov followed close behind.

  Looking at the view from the skies opened up Guthrov’s eyes to another sense. The mountains seemed so tiny but as he had been climbing and scaling them for weeks he knew that the view was an illusion to the reality of it. The same had been for the creature and the one under him. The creature that was generous enough to save his life had at least a ten feet wingspan. Holding tight, Guthrov was set down at the bottom of the tower where the creature with the crystal landed and stood tall next to the entrance.

  Approaching the entrance, Guthrov looked up the tower from the base, amazed by height that was unknown to his eyes. Next to him the creature bowed down, allowing Guthrov to reach out and touch the crystal that was embedded into its chest. Jaw dropping, he stared at the creature as it spoke to him through his mind.

  “I am the Guardian of The Earth, you seek the crystal of knowledge in which I warn, whta you will learn may not be what you wish. The truth is a sacred weapon, only those who have a true heart will make it passed the Gem of Earth and only those who are true to themselves and the ones they love may live to touch the crystal of knowledge.”

  Guthrov was too amazed to speak. Turning to face the doors he watched as they creaked open and the marble floor was revealed. Stepping away from Guthrov the creature spoke once more. “Mortals like you call us dragons, as you saw, there are many of us and many kinds. If you live I shall take you to the edge of our territory but I must warn you, no mortal has yet passed and I am the only one of my kind to ever step out of the tower.”

  Swallowing his shock, Guthrov spoke. “Even dragons have tried to touch the crystal?”

  “There is only one choice, to be of the Earth or of all knowledge. You are to choose when you step inside. There is a nympth that has lived through the gem of Earth and I am the only other creature who has touched the crystal of knowledge. Go forth, choose and may the Gods be with you.”

  Stepping into the tower, Guthrov described the building as a place of concentrated energy. Every step was easy matched to a step taken if there was a hurricane swirling around a man. Voices filled his head and illusions surfaced trying to lead him in different directions. As Guthrav made his decisions to walk passed the different cravings of the world, Guthrov found himself about to slip away from his own skin when he entered a glass room with a blue gem in the center. All of the pressure of Guthrav’s body ceased and Guthrov rested until he believed he was ready to go on.

  A stair case lead to another path and Guthrov had to face different trails. These trails were of curiosity and emotions. To find the crystal, Guthrov had to learn what he truly wanted and what was truly important to him. Once he found that, he was able to find himself in the glass room with a crystal. Amazed, Guthrav approached the crystal but was distracted by a calling from above. Looking up, Guthrov saw another gem, one that pulled at his heart. The Gem was green and made him feel strong. Shimmering off the crystal was an illusion of a shadow.

  “You are not of the Earth and you have presented yourself to knowledge but there is more.” The shadow paused. “There is all power. No one has yet to claim the power of all, if you wish you may pursue your journey to the most concentrated source of power on Earth and possibly in our star system but choose quick for power’s doors will only stay open for a moment.”

  Facing the shadow, Guthrav gave a smile. “My weapon is knowledge.” He bowed, watching the door that held another staircase close.

  “Very well.” The shadow said, disappearing.

  Reaching out for the crystal, Guthrov felt his body numb and a force compress around him. Taking a step back, the shadow reappeared.

  “Do you not believe in the power of knowledge?”

  Guthrov shook his head. “I do not believe that I am the mortal destined for all knowledge.” He paused and thought of the dragon. “I pursued the Tower of Babel and I found it. My mission is complete.”

  The shadow nodded and the glass behind it opened up, there the Guardian of The Earth waited for Guthrov. Joining the dragon, the dragon questioned Guthrov.

  “Are you positive that you do not want the power from the crystal of knowledge? The trails are only meant to be taken once.”

  Guthrov nodded. “I am positive oh great one, the legend will come true one day but I will only tell of the tale to those who care to listen. This, is the true story of Babel.”

  Taking off, the dragon took Guthrov to the edge of the territory. Turning its back, the dragon spoke once more.

  “You are wise, Guthrov Zohan may you live to tell the tale and lead the legend to its rightful trial.”

--

  Today Guthrov Zohan’s journal is passed through the generations and even though I may be the last to have spoken with Guthrov Zohan I am proud to say I will lead the legend through this story and I will bring them to their destined path.

-Jovan Zohan

--

If you want to me write about the Tower of Babel I will see to it. But unless someone speaks up this will remain a fun story that I will leave as is. Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed the story. -Dj

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