Plain of the Golden Flowers

 There once was a man called Vaganeu, he was a traveler who was bold enough to go to places even the most courageous man were afraid to go. Many stories are told of his travels and exploits, today I'm going to tell the story of how he spoke to golden flowers.

 When Vaganeu was travelling across the lands of the old Adkas Empire, searching for the remnants of the capital city, he felt an urge within himself to walk towards a golden spot in the endless plains. As he came closer to the golden spot he realized that it was actually a plain of golden flowers shining as if they were Akon himself. When he was close enough to see all the flowers clearly he also heard a cry: a cry of anguish and rage. He looked around to see if there was anyone in need of his help, but there was only the flowers and himself. Later, when he set his foot on the plain of the golden flowers he saw that all of them were looking at the ground; almost as if they were afraid to turn their faces towards the sun.

 It was almost night and Vaganeu decided he would make camp near the plain of the golden flowers; because he was reluctant to leave before he learned everything he can about the flowers but also too tired to do it at that moment. It was already dark before the time he finished setting up his camp, and when he finished his work he realized that the cries of anger and anguish were gone. He went to check n the flowers and saw all the flowers looking gratefully up to the moon. He went back to his tent and decided to sleep.

 The next morning he once again went near the flowers; they were looking down on the ground in anger again. He looked at the flowers and tried to figure out how they worked. Then, to Vaganeu's suprise one of the flowers spoke: "What do you want traveler? You have been here for two days, what is it that you desire?" Vaganeu had witnessed and lived through a lot of things, but he had never seen a flower speak before. After his initial surprise he answered: "Oh golden flowers! Answer me, what are you? Why do you turn your heads when sun shows up and look up with joy when moon rises? How can you speak?" To that one of the flowers answered: "We are humans who have lost their bodies to the butcher up in the skies. We live now in the shape of flowers, for the kind god showed mercy to us." Than one of the flowers continued: "We look down in our anger and sorrow when Akon looks; for he is the one who doomed us to such fate. We look up gratefully and joyfully when Tulak gazes because he is the one who showed us mercy and gave us these bodies." Another flower spoke up: "We do not breath for this body is immortal and has none of the needs of other living creatures. Because Tulak gave us these bodies and he has no power to create life like Akon does. His power was only enough for guiding our souls in these lifeless vessels and for that we are grateful to him, if he didn't come to our aid we would still be wandering aimlessly here: across the old capitals ruins." Another flower took the word: "Now begone! You have your answers, don't bother us any longer and let us continue our worship."

 With that Vaganeu was satisfied, he didn't bother the flowers any longer and went his own way. That day he learned of flowers that speak and that the capital really was turned to dust like the legends said.    

Fall of the Adkas Empire

 Once upon a time, when The Empire of Adkas held most of the known world under it’s control, leaders of the great empire; Emportores were known by their honor. The Gods were pleased with the honourable Emportores and they bestowed the people of the Empire with fertile lands and good harvests. And the Emportores gifted the Gods with temples and great statues.

 The good relationship between the Gods and the Emportores went on for centuries. Ever human living under the Empire was happy. But when Komberius II killed his own father and took the throne for himself the good relationship with the Gods were destroyed. Komberius was not honourable like those before him, he was ambitious and he did everything he needed to do in order to achieve his goals. The first thing he did was to spit on the traditions and Gods of Adkas. He stopped building temples and statues for the Gods. He than started to instead build statues and palaces for his own glory. The Gods were not fond of this but they still tolerated him; believing he would understand the wrongs of his ways given time.

 Komberius didn’t right his wrongs and he declared himself King of the Universe. With that he brought great disgrace upon the entire Empire. Because everyone knows that Akon rules the Universe alone from his burning palace in the sky. The Gods finally understood, that the time to remind humans once more who ruled them, had come.

 They waged a war against the humans and the ill-ruler Komberius. During the day Akon attacked the world with his beaming castle and took all the water from the surface and replaced it with salt. When night came Akon’s right hand Tulak moved his castle made of grey glistering light ever closer to Akon’s castle, where they would meet and hide all light from people until the Empire of Sin collapsed. The helpers of Tulak; the High Priestesses who reigned on the countless stars decorating the walls of Akon’s Kingdom also dimmed their lights. Lastly the lord of clouds Nahkar roared all night to not let anyone sleep and threw spears of light in his rage.

 These attacks against the world didn’t go unnoticed by the people or the wretched ruler who dared call himself King of the Universe. The people were not happy. Komberius understood the danger he was in. He quickly deceived the minds of the people; making them believe the Gods were at fault for the bad harvests not him. With the support of the people he declared war upon the Gods. When the Gods heard of this, they became ever more fierce with their attacks. Komberius also started attacking the Gods’ houses were he could reach them, in the surface. He burned and looted the temples, killed and flayed the innocent men and women who dedicated their lives to the Gods.

 On the hundredth and second day of the Gods’ Great War, Tulak finally arrived in front of Akon and all light was lost in their power. With the light also was lost the people’s hope.  First they were angry; angry at the man who called himself King of the Universe, and then they grieved; they grieved for they knew they would never see the beauty of the burning castle again. Then in their hopelesness, anger and grief they threw their arms and started begging for forgiveness. The merciful and kind God Tulak said to the other Gods and holy beings in the army of Akon “These people are not the ones deserving our wrath. That wretched ruler Komberius is the only one who deserves punishment. He is the one who deceived the minds of the innocent and kind humans!” The holy army was also keen on forgiving humans. The memories of the times they teached them about the ways of the World were still new. They knew how loving and kind but easy to manupilate the humans’ hearts can be. They all looked up to Akon for he was the one to make the last decision in matters of this kind. Akon looked down on his holy army and said “I have given this race many a chance to overthrow their disrespectful ruler. They always denied the chance I gave them. And they lived their lives like they had forgotten who gifted them this world in which they live. Humans indeed are loving and kind but they also are unappreciative and forgetting. No, I will not forgive them.” Then Tulak was displeased for he had no desire to continue the siege of this beautiful city and it’s regretful people. Tulak said to all the Gods and holy beings present in Akon’s army “I shall respect your decision as the ruler of this Universe. But let it be known that I shall no longer take part in this siege against the people of Adkas .” And with that he moved his castle away from Akon’s and lifted the siege against the city. Akon than allowed him and any one who hadn’t any desire to continue the war against the people leave.

The sphere walls of the burning castle were finally seen again by the people. A light was seen, a light of anger and sadness it was. A light that replicated the feelings of Akon it was. The people thought they were forgiven because the siege was lifted and they celebrated for a brief moment. Then Akon charged on his beams of light to crush any and all beings or objects which existed in the city, except Komberius. When Akon was done, there stood nothing left of the city. The marble used for the building of statues was turned to dust, the rocks used in the making of the great walls turned to sand and no part of living flesh was left for vultures to eat. There stood only the King of the Universe and the man claiming to be the King of the Universe.

 It is best not to talk about what comes next for the punishment the man suffered is not fit for any maiden’s or children’s ears. It is enough to say Emportore Komberius’ punishment was more painful than the pain he caused. When all was done and the city was in ruins Akon went back to his castle and the Gods returned to their halls in and under the sky.

 And with that came the end of a great empire; with the capital in ruins and the Emportore dead with no heir, the empire was divided between the bravest generals, smartest alchemists and the holiest priests. The Rısmıraks to the east saw this as an opportunity to take back their lost lands. Using the disorganized remnants of the Adkas Empire to their advantage they took back their lands and claimed new ones. This is the tale how the Adkas Empire; an empire which dominated the known world for centuries fell to the wrath of the Gods. For however strong an empire may be, it can never be an equal to the Gods.