To historians, the Pre-History Era is a vague selection of years to describe what they believe to be the time before kin, a time when the Cardinals were testing ideas and developing the nature and cycles of the world. Fossil records are hazy, certain ruins appear to pre-date the Pre-History Era, thus, archeologists are beginning to believe that the Cardinals began to influence Ptitheros much earlier than assumed.
Massive fossilized skeletons are rarely found across Ptitheros. Their skull and wings mimic that of the dragons of Ptitheros, but they are too large. These ‘monsters’ were labeled as Colossals, with one of said species still alive today, swimming lazily in Chaarm Bay. The secrets and purpose behind these giants have stumped scientists for centuries. Were they once a kin species, or were they wild? Perhaps the Cardinals tested out plants and animal designs far larger than the average scale of today? Nobody knows for sure, the accessible tomes of the Ancient Archives hold little information on the topic and the Chaarm Bay Colossal does not speak.
The mystery remained at a stand-still for many years, until now.
Archeologists have made a discovery. Through the Ancient Archives lies many dark passages that travel deeper and deeper into the planet’s crust. So many of these tunnels remain unexplored, awaiting a daring adventurer to uncover their books and relics. In this age of new technology and taste for new information, Ptithians have uncovered a large passageway lost to time.
The halls bare chiseled stone, ornate gold fillings and round altars full of ash. Fires once bloomed here. A quick breath of flames and the charcoal ignites, casting a cascading flame across all surrounding altars and bring life to the channels along the floor and walls. Magma is thrust from the planet’s mantle deep blow and flows through open-sided channels towards the end of the corridor. A massive door is lit up, the statues beside it sit proudly, holding spears and wearing ornamental armor upon their shoulders and horns. These statues are not Ptithian by design, despite some features matching those of modern-day kin.
Behind the door lies a historian’s dream: an ancient city.
Ptithians had a hard time understanding the statues and the multitude of paintings and carvings that depicted the same mysterious ancient creatures. It was evident that these creatures had lived in this underground, magmatic city, but had they built it too? And why was this place not found in any tome, surely it was important if so much intricate architecture and gold resided within its walls?
The archeologists published their findings and brought in more scientists, researchers, and spelunking experts to assist with finding out about the ancient city. They would name it the End’s Beginning City.
A conclusion was reached; an age of kin unknown to modern-day Ptithians once lived on Ptitheros. The ancient kin had come and gone, likely gone extinct. In murals amongst the city and from statues on temples and homes, the old kin worshipped the four Cardinals too. But, the question is, why did these ancient kin leave no trace? Actually, they did. The End’s Beginning City is massive, far out of proportion to the average Ptithian, but a perfect fit for the few Colossal skeletons that have been found.
The Colossals were the Cardinal’s first kin.
It was preached that the Colossals were here, just like “us”, but now they were gone and left to rot. Few traces left behind and this was intentional and the Cardinals’ doing. The Cardinals gave up on their ancient kin, leaving them to slowly disappear from their world. If this happened in the past, who’s to say it couldn’t happen again. . . after all, all of the Cardinals no longer directly influence the modern-day kin.
No one can say for sure if history will repeat itself, but the End’s Beginning City foretells a fate far worse than a natural downfall of civilization. Stained murals depict a doomsday, detailing that when an Architect stops caring for its world, another one can try to sabotage or take it.
Information and rumors are spreading like wildfire. Only a few believe there is truly a doomsday around the corner, but many desire to rekindle a connection with the Cardinals just in case. Ptithians desire to bring Ptitheros back to its former glory, back to what it once was and push it a bit farther into the next age. Architects working with mortal kin is a new concept now sweeping the globe.