Chapter 59 – The True Kürdiala
Kürdiala, Black Peaks Region – Evening, Year 7002 A.A.
The throne room shimmered with violet light, waterfalls whispering down carved walls, the twin Mana Crystals pulsing softly behind the throne. King Azubuike Toran, the black-and-white panther Tracient, stood without ceremony.
"You," he said, violet eyes narrowing on Adam. "Follow me."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked toward the waterfall at the rear of the chamber. The water—liquid light—parted at his approach, revealing a shadowed corridor beyond.
Adam followed. His blue fur caught the glow of the runes etched into the stone, and the Crescent Moon at his neck pulsed like a second heartbeat.
Behind him, the other Lords were led away by Ekene Çelik into Kürdiala's labyrinthine halls, their footsteps fading, tension still clinging to them like dust.
Adam stepped into the curtain of water. For a moment, the world vanished into silver mist.
He emerged into a cavern—a natural tunnel of smooth stone, veined with glowing threads of blue-white mana. There were no torches. The walls glowed faintly, like memory made tangible. The path led forward into a golden haze.
Toran's voice called from ahead. "Come."
Adam moved, footsteps echoing. He could feel water flowing somewhere above, yet the air remained dry and cool.
Then he reached the end of the tunnel and stopped.
His breath caught in his throat.
Below stretched a valley that defied reason. Sunlight bathed a hidden metropolis nestled deep in the Black Peaks, shielded by cliffs embedded with crystalline veins. The cliffs sparkled—an unearthly constellation etched into stone.
The city below was alive with motion and color. Domes and spires of ochre stone and polished glass rose in clusters, etched with flowing sigils that pulsed faintly with mana. Walkways of ivy and stone bridged rooftops where Tracients bustled—Kaplans, Fare, Boga, others—moving with the rhythm of a thriving world.
Crystal rivers flowed through the city, fed by waterfalls cascading from the cliffs. Hovering platforms drifted through the sky, carrying supplies and passengers. Children laughed, chasing floating orbs of light that danced like spirits.
A breath escaped Adam.
"By Asalan's name," he whispered. "Is this…?"
He couldn't finish the sentence.
Behind him, Toran laughed—rich and deep, suddenly full of warmth. The king who had moments ago pressed nations to their knees now walked with quiet joy, eyes shining with something closer to love.
"I've waited years for this," he said, stepping beside Adam.
He reached forward, cupping Adam's face in both hands, pressing their foreheads together.
Adam stiffened—but didn't pull away.
"It's an honor to finally meet you, my godson," Toran said, voice low.
Adam blinked. "My… godfather?"
Toran nodded, violet eyes misting. "I made a Mana Vow to your parents when your mother was eight months pregnant. I never got to hold you after your birth, but the vow still binds."
Adam's voice caught. "You knew them?"
Toran's gaze drifted out toward the city. "I did. Your father was my battle-brother. Your mother was a genius… and sharper than both of us combined. We weren't just allies—we were family."
_______________________________________________
Adam drew a breath, steadying his thoughts. "Uncle," he said softly—testing the word.
Toran grinned. "Yes. Good. You can call me Uncle Toran. Or Lord Toran. Or Uncle Lord. Or—"
"Don't push it," Adam said, lips twitching.
Toran chuckled. Then his expression grew somber.
"You asked earlier... why I'm here, not among the Kaplans. Kürdiala's roots are old. Older than most know."
He turned slightly, gesturing to the valley.
"It began with Bast—the First Black Panther. A Kaplan exile. She left the clan behind to protect those the old Narn laws condemned. Criminals, heretics, outcasts. She led them here… to die, most thought."
Adam's brow furrowed.
"But she didn't. She prayed. To Asalan. And Asalan answered. He blessed this land—hid it. Gave it breath. Gave it mana. Crystals richer than anywhere else in the world. Enough power to sustain life in the middle of death."
Toran raised his hands.
"That's the Kürdiala most don't know. The city of survivors. The sanctuary carved from exile and faith."
Adam looked out again.
And he saw it—not just buildings and lights—but a people who had made peace with pain.
A place that didn't just live.
It endured.
Adam turned. "You knew I existed. You've been watching. Why not reach out?"
Toran exhaled. "I wanted to. But Kürdiala is sacred. Hidden. If I left, even briefly, I risked revealing it. I had to trust others to watch over you."
He stepped forward again, wrapping Adam in a tight embrace. "Dirac did his best. But I should have come. I should've held you when your parents died. I failed you. I'm sorry."
Adam remained still.
Then slowly—stiffly—he leaned into the hug. A breath escaped him. Something uncoiled inside.
"I'm here now," Toran whispered. "And I'm not leaving."
_______________________________________________
Toran tapped a crystal bead on his wrist. A holographic shimmer erupted midair—Ekene Çelik appeared, his golden eyes calm.
"My King," he said. "Shall I bring the Lords into the city?"
Toran nodded. "Yes. No more hiding. Let them see our truth."
The projection faded.
Adam's eyes widened. "You use holographic systems?"
Toran's laughter rolled out again. "Lad… we've been ahead of the world for millennia. Kürdiala isn't just magic—it's science the rest of the world forgot."
Moments later, a portal of pale mana shimmered into being.
Ekene stepped through first, then the Lords followed—Darius, Kon, Trevor, Jeth, Kopa, and Johan. One by one, they emerged—and stopped.
Jeth blinked, his hat falling back. "By the Lion's Mane…"
Trevor's mouth opened. "Oh… my… greatness…"
Kon stood in silence, single eye reflecting rivers of light. Darius looked shaken, his stoicism undone by wonder. Kopa's antlers caught the sun like spears of crystal. Johan stared, tail stiff with awe.
Toran extended his arms.
"Welcome, Lords of Narn," he said, his voice carrying across the windswept overlook. "Welcome… to the true Kürdiala."
The city pulsed below, Mana Crystals casting refracted suns across the cliffs. The desert's cruelty forgotten—for a moment—in the breath of a hidden kingdom revealed.