The gates of Kashan Palace were pushed shut by two tall and strong guards, producing a dull echo, empty and deep, casting a twilight gloom over the heart.
The closed palace doors, with a base color of black ebony wood, were inlaid with white carved floral patterns. Affia recognized those abstract designs, stars and earth, past heroes and poems. The imagery on them depicted an ancient story, a known legend—war between humans and dragons.
The ancient war had long been settled, the evil dragon lurking back into the shadows, waiting for the moment to return. The Star of Calamity had vanished, and the Dark Army too had crumbled, everything seemed to return to the old peace.
Only the heroes would forever rest on this land, never to return. Their blood turned into rivers, bodies forged into Chongshan, their will like the sun, moon, and stars, eternally guarding this land. The Istania People, Colin People, and Osh People jointly share their legacy, singing their poems endlessly.
