I met a traveller from an antique land,
Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert… . Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
And on the pedestal, these words appear:
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”
This was a wild meandering ride, drawing on a multitude of inspirations. It tries to touch on themes of hubris and tyranny, and the defiance before these evils.
For the 4000 Contest, I presented Alexandria Eternal. It only seems fitting to expand upon that canon for the 5000 Contest.
It is as much an exercise in worldbuilding, as it is interested in being a mystery.
I can only hope that you appreciate it.
Requested slots in order: 5001, 5999, 5052, 5250, 5005.
