Hidden away in the depths of the forests is the hidden gem
of Darya. Past the rocky canals and muck filled rivers, you turn into what
seems to be a standard forest. Towering trees reaching further than you can tell,
the odd vine and bird chirping away in the background, lighting the day with
their birdsong. It is only when you see the trees reduced to stumps and the odd
roaring of gushing water is heard getting closer when you realize that you are
not alone. People are here. Moving
towards, the sound gushing water, curious rustling echoes from the bushes as
you continue to explore the labyrinth of trees. Nearing the source of the
gushing water ,a lone wooden wheel of colossal scale creaked as it turned ,
lifting multiple tonnes of water up into the trees above , descending up and
over a distant wall of matching scale in the background.
Once you enter the city of Darya, the first thing you notice
are mounds of rock, littered with tracings of the past, telling the stories of
Darya`s once proud civilization. Embracing nature and seeming `Mother Nature`s
playground in the time of the Gods. However, despite their once proud status,
times had changed and these monuments had long been vandalized, notches had been knocked from the surface and they were covered in a mysterious gruesome
green gunge. Strangely enough the toxicity to humans and plant life alike had
boost the appearance of fungi, where the pathways and houses were covered
almost completely .Not one inch had been left out of this gruesome muck as you
continue through the abandoned forest grounds the air thickens to the point it
hard to breath and the disgusting stench of oil and petrol fills the air. As you hurry further trying to clear a path
towards any form of fresh air, you can hear the odd wheezing cough and retching
coming from the shadows.
The story of this mysterious muck had started several
centuries previous. With Darya being a lone city hidden away it was only until
recently where their beloved forests had been demolished. Smog filled the air
as skyscrapers began to arise from the depths of hell. Chugging deadly smokes
from their chimneys and filling the waters with toxic oil. All which Darya
lived for. As more pollution filled the air, the more closed off Darya became
and those who lived and survived the poisonous air became bitter towards the
outside world. Seeing those who caused or were affected by this monstrosity as
impurities of the Earth and were banished.
The further you advance through this maze of smog and trees,
the heaving coming from nearby residents begins to get louder as a wall
entombed within vines of all sorts and those who are unfortunate enough to
catch this plague are scratching at the walls begging to be let in. As you continue,
careful not to have your own gas mask taken away by the hordes of zombie like beings
two guards confront you. Their own masks, created by what you can guess are
made nature’s own materials unlike the mechanical beasts used elsewhere.
At first glance those who guard the outer walls of Darya may
seem hostile , treating those who are `outsiders` as if those are to blame for
the plague and destruction surrounding their past and people present. Only
letting the odd lucky soul inside their sanctuary. Whether you are there on
official business or just a visitor, to them, you are all the same. To those
who have heard of this once great civilization one may not expect the entrance
to such city to be such a ruin. With only planks of wood overlapping and tied
by scraps of rope. One you would expect from a post war film. Despite its lack-
luster appearance, in the citizens of Darya`s mind, it works, and that is all
they care for.
Entering the walls, buildings of varying heights tower over
the forest paths, smaller buildings made of what seems to be clay matched with
beautifully detailed stained glass windows sat near the border. You can`t help
but notice as you progress, that those who seem to be out in the open, adult
and child alike are all working. Whether it is building a new greenery or
expanding their homes to become more efficient. There was no stop. A constant
cycle of work to keep the city flowing. Not because they want to, but, because If
they don`t stop the city will fall prey to the sickness prowling at their
doors. If they dare stop. The city will no longer exist.
Moving through the workers, another much more exquisite wall
appears, towering above the trees with curved details carved in clay and concrete.
Unlike the last, this wall had no warriors protecting those from the innards.
Confident that those who work would not dare set foot in the highest ground in
the area. Those who were classed as Gods among men. The elders, surviving
centuries seeing Darya pass through each passing year , watching as their
population decreases and knowing that
despite the cockiness of those who live in the inner circle. They too will be
taken by the sickness that spreads.
As you turn to leave, the city of Darya is hindered by its
built up reputation from centuries ago. Now a mere corner of its greatness,
Darya is a fragile civilization threatened to be destroyed by the pollution
engulfing the air around them and the plagued clawing at their door. Ready to
burst in at any moment. Despite having such a poor chance of survival the
citizens of Darya keep together as if a family , having one goal in common and
working together to make sure they can accomplish said goal and bring Darya to
the legacy it once had. Despite the odds.
Some may call Darya
the plagued city ,but, when one sees the monstrosity of their sick one can only
see that the rest of the world are the ones causing it.
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