The Quest for the Red Gem
From the very beginning of his memory Alistair focused on the red gem which held deep fascination for him. His family had received this myth as a legendary description of their ancestral history since time immemorial. Observed to possess incredible power the gem was believed to hide in the deepest part of the world while remaining accessible only to extremely foolhardy or exceptionally brave seekers.
Back when he was eight-years-old Alistair listened to the tale for the very first time while sharing a knee with his grandfather. Alistair’s grandfather shared stories about the red gem which could heal people while granting eternal youth while controlling fate through his weathered appearance with a white beard and twinkle in his eyes. Since ancient times this stone targeted the desires of rulers as well as bandits because of its mythical power. According to his grandfather the gem's story included numerous failed search attempts by many seekers.
His grandfather spoke in his deep voice to warn Alistair that the red gem was never meant to be discovered. “It’s a test. A test of a man’s heart. People searching with immoral purposes will constantly fail in their pursuit. Pure intention is the only quality that leads people toward successful ownership of this object.
Alistair’s heart became entranced on that day and his driving obsession burned throughout his life without falter. Discovering the red gem became the ultimate goal that directed his entire life. No other thought entered his mind at this point. To him the stone meant more than a simple object because the quest symbolized everything he needed to prove his nature both to society and to himself.
During the years Alistair developed both mentally and physically. Alistair departed his tiny village to embark on a world journey which turned him into someone full of restless spirit and relentless determination. Alistair dreamed of the red gem while he slept but saw only its ruby light guide him to find the gem in the shadowy regions of the world each night. Nothing remained a distraction from this search which captured all his mental attention and physical actions. No distance from his destination along with his endless searches managed to diminish the red gem's deep hold on his spirit since it rendered itself into his inner being.
But Alistair was determined. Through his early years he dedicated his time to examine ancient record holdings and converse with wise sages and mystics while mastering forgotten tongues to decipher enigmatic written prophecies relating to the gem. Maps declared the gem remained hidden deep inside an unsuccessful temple hidden amongst mountains that were permanently fogged and left in eternal darkness by the starless skies. Ordinary men stayed away from these dangerous mountain ranges as wild predators prowled their grounds and weather conditions threatened to kill both weak and strong travelers.
Alistair spent all ten successive years pursuing his dream.
The first destination of his expedition brought him to Aranthal which rests at the frontier of the Great Desert. A scholar who understood the gem’s history could possibly lead him to its location but resided in this specific region. Alistair traveled through harsh desert conditions until his clothes were destroyed and his face had the appearance of desert dust when he finally reached his destination. The scholar revealed a single piece of information to Alistair despite his old age and untamed hair and flowing robe.
The red gem selects its own finders according to its independent will is what he replied. “It has a will of its own. It chooses who can find it. Your determined search will result in your permanent disappearance.
But Alistair didn’t listen. The scholar’s warning did not stop him from moving forward while he absorbed its meaning. During those successive years he dedicated himself to uncover every rumor and legend about the gem's actual position. Different people believed that the red gem remained under protection from a dragon or that it hid inside a submarine cave. All knowledge and data from these findings oriented him toward increasing mystery.
Alistair journeyed to the kingdom of Eldor which hid dark forests along with mysterious ruins throughout its domain. The old temple lay hidden under the roots of a sacred tree inside this territory. No individuals who ventured inside the temple ever made it out alive because time itself had enveloped this forgotten location. The strong determination along with the burning desire to establish himself as the hero prompted Alistair to face the temple alone. Through the ancient temple he discovered walls full of undecipherable inscriptions along with mausoleums containing old skeletons of unsuccessful predecessors.
But Alistair was clever. Through his wit Alistair completed the temple riddles while bypassing dangerous traps to finally reach the temple maze completion. Deep within the temple he discovered a chamber where priceless gold and brilliant jewels and extraordinary artifacts occupied every space. But there was no red gem.
Alistair departed from the temple with disappointment yet perseverance as he traveled beyond oceans into dangerous mountains and deep abysses. The hunt evolved into his single-minded preoccupation which filled all his daytime hours with thoughts of the red gem.
Ten years passed. Ten long years of travel, of danger, of sacrifice. After losing his fortune together with his health along with the social ties from his previous life Alistair found himself in a destitute state. All those others he encountered during his journey had progressed with their existence yet he remained fixated on his everlasting quest. Time had aged him as he experienced all the challenges that came from his prolonged expedition. Wild animals and brutal winter conditions together with the disloyalty of another treasure hunter produced serious wounds across his physical body. Yet he never stopped searching.
Alistair found himself in the eastern craggy mountains where he discovered a secret cave hidden inside the narrow ravine. A chasm in this location was supposed to have formed when the earth split because it disclosed a concealed dimension. Alistair entered the cave which enveloped him in a heavy unnatural stillness while having centuries of weight bearing down from the air above. Never before had he visited such a location but now for the first time doubt engulfed his mind.
His journey had brought him tremendous distance and he gave away everything essential to reach this point. Was it worth it? Had the red gem led him to its final resting place or had his years of search result in a defeated mission for a prophesied object?
The deeper he went into the cave until he discovered a tiny dark space. The center point of the chamber displayed a pedestal where Alistair beheld the most radiant gemstone he had ever encountered. The gem appeared like the lively core of flames with a red color which radiated its own pulsating light. A sudden surge of excitement made his heart pound uncontrollably during his attempt at touching it.
The chamber resounded with a deep unsettling tone when his hand reached the gemstone making the stones seem to produce the voice itself.
“Your reason for chasing me Alistair”
Alistair froze, his hand trembling. The voice was both present and tangible although his sight could detect no physical form. He knew definitively that it existed.
“I… Alistair opened his lips to talk for the tenth year seeking the voice he heard now. The moment has required me to dedicate all I possess into reaching this goal.
The voice maintained its silence until it resumed.
“Why?”
The questions from the cavestones triggered an intense mental and physical response in Alistair. Throughout his life he failed to contemplate the reason behind his existence. During a span of ten years he had devoted himself totally to finding something that would bestow him power, longevity and famous status. His search continued since he faced the loss of his entire world yet refused to stop because of it. Why?
“I… The thought of obtaining wholeness had led Alistair to his confession. I believed the search would demonstrate my worthiness to obtain something noble.
You seek the red gem in vain Alistair since it seeks those who truly deserve it. It is for the deserving. Ten years have passed while you looked for external treasures yet the true value dwells inside you.
Alistair stood in stunned silence. Total comprehension struck him all at once. Throughout ten years he pursued validation from external sources to fill a dark pit inside his heart. The path along with his sufferings and trials formed his character into what it became. Throughout his journey the gem stopped representing valuable findings because he transformed into the person he wished to be.
The shining gem in front of him showed light but Alistair recognized its false nature. His ten-year quest directed him toward a phantom goal that turned out to be the self-discovery of his transformation into a better person through the journey itself.
Alistair absorbed a deep breath before walking away from the pedestal. The red gem would stay concealed inside the cave awaiting anyone who would keep searching for it with ignorant intentions. When Alistair exited the cave his heavy burden suddenly released its grip from his body. Despite all the challenges he faced he found his search worthy. He discovered his true requirement in himself.
Alistair left the world behind since the elusive treasure he had been pursuing remained unattainable forever. The red gem possessed beauty and power yet its nature remained different from what he was seeking as treasure. The true value became his self-learned wisdom from the journey of ten years coupled with his realization that we discover things best through actual life experiences rather than through direct searching.