Gylaw's Anamoly
Let this tale live on for all generations as a warning. Trying to remold the past only warrants you a worse future.
~ Obras Torgella ~
Aspiring Youth
There is a story in the Tenelean Empire, often labeled a folk tale, a legend. The tale follows a young boy in the early years of Tenelea's formation centuries ago. A boy who believed himself destined for greatness, or others' greatness. But, he realized too late what he created was capable of. The story is told like this.
Inspired by his older brother, Cain's, fascination with research, Terrin Gylaw always declared he'd become the greatest wizard the world had ever known, perhaps even the stars too! The growing land of Tenelea was ripe with unexplored possibilities, and the kingdoms beyond all held their own side of the past too. Terrin's studious routine and deep exploration knew no bound as he unlocked portion after portion of the world's history.
However, the continuous research in and out of his land came to reveal the dark truth of Tenelea's origin. Of his own people's exile. Once they were known as Zantot and lived far west. But the evil Ludong province had waged war against them and drove them all from their homes, exiling them to the open and untamed lands they now lived in. This revelation filled Terrin with malice, and he swore he would undo everything bad that had been done to them. He would restore the Zantot province. He would go back in time.
Well into adulthood, Terrin set out to design and craft such a device. After asking to aid him, Cain agreed, at first certain Terrin meant it all only as a joke. For Cain could not fathom the idea of time travel like Terrin could. Tirelessly, Terrin worked away on sleepless nights, memorizing arcane sigils, traveling to see foreign inventors and metalworkers.
Soon enough, the Tenelean public began to hear of this undertaking Terrin put himself on. Despite his assumptions on how they'd react, he began being ridiculed and criticized. His ideas were called fiction, ignorant. He himself began being called a madman, the insane elf. Only Cain stayed by his side. Suffering under strenuous ridicule by the people he worked to make prosper, Terrin was slowly driven into isolation. But not hatred. He refused to stop. He didn't need them to believe in him, he needed them to thrive.
But in reality, their actions were slowly driving him mad.
With each passing week, Terrin felt the device -- cube-like in shape -- come closer and closer to completion. Coated in all manners of magic from each different school, built up with various metals and elements, Cain finally realized Terrin Gylaw meant every word he had said. Finally, the day came as Terrin boasted to Cain. The device -- named Auto -- was finished, and it flared to life.
Cain was in disbelief what they had truly accomplished. Auto spoke their names, its faceless block speaking in every direction at once. Seeing the potential for major change at their fingertips, Cain insisted to Terrin that they don't just go back to Zantot, but even farther. He shouted they must go back to before even the Cosmic Wars began, and prevent it from happening. Then, the world could still stand united today.
But Terrin didn't listen. His tireless nights, his ridicule, his utter malice had made him grow too mad. He denied what Cain said. Baffled, Cain continued to persist, saying even he would believe Terrin truly mad to not think this right.
That day, Terrin snapped.
He began attacking Cain who defended himself. Their only home became a lightshow of arcane blasts and sigils. Cain who wished for unity, and Terrin who wished for authority. Soon, they were grabbing hold of each other, tossed around like the wind. They each knocked into Auto fiercely and it crashed across the floor.
But with a spear of flame, Cain was pierced through the heart, and slain. However, when he looked back to Auto, he realized how unstable it had suddenly become. Before he could move, a massive vortex opened, sucking everything -- Terrin, the home, and Auto itself -- into it. In the dead of night, Terrin Gylaw was never seen again.
Terrin, listen to yourself! I've been by your side even when everyone else call you mad. Are those the people you wish to restore to glory? If you believe that to be right, then even I am to call you mad as well.
~ Cain Gylaw ~
Setting of the Story
Though the story never specifies, theorists and historians believe the tale takes place somewhere between 300-400 AC. It is also speculated to have taken place in the location where the capital of the Tenelean Empire stands today, Enendale.
In addition, Terrin and Cain would have each spent time exploring the Devil's Grave, known to be home to many secrets of the world and of the arcane, such as the Runic language.
As history has spoke, the Zantot and Ludong provinces existed up until their conflict's end in the year two-hundred and twenty four. The tale certainly could not have occurred any sooner.~ Obras Torgella
Time Will Tell
Like any other nightmare tale, this fable is used in the Tenelean Empire by foreboding parents who wish to make sure their children behave. A youth will be told this tale with the instruction that what they do now will end up in the past. And if Auto does not like it, they will be snatched away just like Terrin was.
Of course, kids quickly grow out of this fear after committing several bad choices anyway, and not seeing any immediate consequence.
I mean, as far as bedtime stories go, this one was definitely not one of the prettier ones when I was a young girl.~ Jay Grenridge
Functions of Auto
Some storytellers and bards wonder at the intricacies of this tale, such as what exact functions Auto possessed. Some believed he was able to use the same magic both Cain and Terrin had access to, others act certain Auto retained no other ability than the action of travelling back in time.
Some say his inside was outfitted with lethal weapons in the event of violence, but is often denounced since Terrin and Cain's fight provoked nothing. Another theory is that its form changed color based on its mood, which some believe explains why it changed colors in the story.
All still stand as theories, for the tale never tells.
Terrin. Gylaw. Cain. Gylaw. I am, Auto.~ Auto, the Automaton
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