1. The Hidden Paths to Sardica
Few know the true path to Sardica. The old maps that once described the route have faded, their lines unreadable. Merchants and travelers speak of narrow, winding roads that pass through dense forests and mist-covered valleys. Those who embark on this journey must face the darkness, for many have disappeared into the thick pine woods—never to return.
The road to Sardica begins at the ancient bridge over the Iskăr River. Some say that on moonless nights, the whispers of those who failed to reach their destination can be heard. Others claim that only those who toss a coin into the waters as an offering to the spirits may continue.
2. The Secret of the City Walls
Legends tell of towering walls enshrouded in mist, guarding the entrance to the city. It is said that they are not made of ordinary stone but of an indestructible material that has defied time—smooth, dark, and unbreakable. Some scholars speculate that they belong to an ancient civilization lost to history, while others insist that Sardica is merely an illusion, appearing only to those who dare to confront their deepest fears.
3. The Forbidden Temples and the Keepers of Knowledge
Deep within Sardica’s shadowed alleys stand temples whose doors never open. They are believed to be the last refuge of a secretive order guarding knowledge too dangerous for humanity. It is whispered that beneath the city lies a network of tunnels where scrolls of ancient wisdom are hidden—texts that reveal the true fate of the world.
Those who venture too far into Sardica’s depths speak of soft voices emanating from the walls. Some claim that the city’s keepers follow their every move, waiting in silence until the intruder flees in terror.
4. The Forgotten Realm Beneath Sardica
Myths tell of an underground world beneath the city—a labyrinth of catacombs and forgotten halls draped in eternal darkness. There, remnants of an age long past remain: scrolls in unknown languages, artifacts forged from metal that never rusts, statues whose eyes seem to follow all who dare gaze upon them.
Some believe this subterranean realm was not built by human hands but by an ancient force predating civilization itself. Those who attempt to uncover its secrets either vanish forever or return altered—forever haunted by what they have seen.
5. The Timeless Guardians of the City
To enter Sardica is to sense an invisible presence—as if the city itself is alive. There are stories of hooded figures wandering its narrow streets, their faces hidden, their steps soundless. They do not speak. They only watch. Some believe they are the last survivors of a forgotten dynasty, preserving secrets as the world around them moves forward.
An ancient prophecy claims that Sardica was once the heart of an empire beyond recorded history. When the stars align in a particular constellation, the texts say, the city’s guardians will awaken and unveil Sardica’s final mystery. Yet that moment has not yet come.
6. The City’s Call – Why Travelers Return
There are those who have seen Sardica once and never find peace again. They speak of an unknown force pulling them back, as if the city has touched their souls. Some claim that Sardica changes those who enter—that once inside, one will never be the same again.
Those who leave the city describe eerie dreams in which Sardica’s walls reappear, voices calling them back. Some return. And those who resist the call live their lives in perpetual incompleteness—forever sensing that a part of them was left behind in Sardica.
Legends of Sardica pass from generation to generation, yet the truth remains hidden in the shadows. Is the city real, or is it merely an illusion? A place of stone and flesh, or a realm of memories and echoes? Perhaps there is only one way to find out—you must journey there yourself.
– Remtalina Land –
