Luden and Larz , The Burdern Of Overworld Gate

Long before mankind built their first cities, before the first kings ruled over the land, there was knowledge that only the wisest dared to seek. Hidden beyond the seven seas, buried deep within mountains so high they pierced the clouds, there was a place that few knew of and none had entered—a place that should never be found.

This was the Overworld.

It was not a land, nor was it a heaven or hell. It was something beyond mortal comprehension—a realm where the energies of life and death converged, where time did not flow in a straight line, and where existence itself was shaped by unseen forces. It was said that from the Overworld, the first breath of creation was drawn, and from it, the balance of the world was maintained.

But with great power came great risk.

For if the Overworld was ever breached—if its gate was ever opened—its energies could spill forth into the physical world, reshaping reality in ways beyond control. Some believed that the Overworld held the key to eternal life. Others thought it was a place where the past, present, and future intertwined, revealing truths not meant for mortal minds. But the greatest fear was that if unworthy hands tampered with its power, the Overworld could bring ruin instead of enlightenment.

And so, they needed a guardian.

Not a ruler, not a conqueror, not one who would seek to claim the Overworld's power, but one who would protect it from the outside world—one who understood the weight of knowledge, the dangers of temptation, and the delicate balance that held existence together.

For centuries, the Overworld remained undisturbed, sealed behind an ancient gate, locked away in a place where only the worthy could find it. Many had searched for it—kings, scholars, warlords, and seekers of forbidden knowledge—but none had returned. The mountains swallowed their paths, the sea kept its secrets, and the world forgot their names.

Only the wisest knew the truth.

The Overworld was never meant to be opened.

It was meant to be guarded—hidden from the hands of those who would misuse it.

And somewhere, beyond the reach of history, there was one who stood before the gate, knowing that the greatest battle was not against those who sought it—but against the temptation to open it.

The sky above the Island of the Overworld Gate stretched endlessly, the air thick with the scent of salt and ancient stone. Waves crashed against the cliffs below, their endless roar the only sound breaking the stillness. Here, at the edge of the world, where no man had set foot willingly, Luden and Larz stood before the Gate to the Overworld—an immense structure carved from an unearthly stone, its surface engraved with symbols older than any civilization.

Luden's cloak billowed in the wind as he turned to Larz, his eyes holding the weight of centuries.

Luden: "You have followed me far, Larz. You have listened, learned, and questioned. But this—this is the final truth. Everything I have taught you, everything I have prepared you for, leads to this moment."

Larz remained silent, his gaze locked onto the gate. The air around it felt different, heavy, as though the very fabric of existence trembled in its presence. He had known about the Overworld, had heard whispers of its power, but standing before its threshold, he realized that even Luden's teachings had only scratched the surface.

Larz: "I've heard you speak of the Overworld, but I never truly understood. What is it, really?"

Luden exhaled slowly, as though even speaking of it required careful thought. He placed a hand on the ancient stone of the gate, and for a brief moment, Larz thought he saw it pulse—as if it were alive.

Luden: "The Overworld is not a place, not in the way you understand it. It is beyond the physical, beyond time. It is the source from which all things flow—the unseen currents of life and death, the breath of the world itself. Every moment, every choice, every ripple of energy in existence is connected to it."

Larz frowned, stepping closer to the gate, feeling its presence like an unseen weight pressing against his skin.

Larz: "Then why is it sealed? If it is the source of life, shouldn't its power be shared with the world?"

Luden turned to him, a shadow crossing his face.

Luden: "Because power without understanding is destruction. The Overworld does not distinguish between creation and ruin. It simply is. And those who have sought it out in the past—those who believed they could control its forces—have only ever found madness."

Larz felt a shiver run through him. He had always sought knowledge, but now, standing here, he began to understand the cost of it.

Larz: "Has anyone ever opened it?"

Luden hesitated.

Luden: "Long ago, before even the oldest civilizations, there were those who tried. Some sought to bend time to their will. Others sought to shape the world in their image. But the Overworld is not meant to be wielded. Those who touched its power were consumed by it—their minds shattered, their bodies lost, their very existence erased from time itself."

Larz's breath caught in his throat.

Larz: "Then why does the gate exist at all? Why have it if it was never meant to be opened?"

Luden smiled faintly, as though he had expected the question.

Luden: "Because balance demands it. The Overworld is neither good nor evil, neither gift nor curse. It simply exists, and its presence ensures that the world remains in harmony. But there must always be one who understands this truth—one who stands between the Overworld and those who seek it for the wrong reasons."

Larz met his gaze, realization dawning.

Larz: "You're talking about a guardian."

Luden nodded.

Luden: "Yes. And now, it is time."

Larz's heart pounded.

Larz: "Time for what?"

Luden took a step closer, his expression unreadable.

Luden: "Time for you to take my place."

Larz froze, his mind racing.

Larz: "No. No, that's not—I can't do this. There are others who are more worthy. Others who—"

Luden lifted a hand, silencing him.

Luden: "You believe worthiness is what makes a guardian? No, Larz. The Overworld does not care for the strong, the wise, or the powerful. It cares only for balance. And balance cannot be upheld by those who seek the power behind this gate. It must be guarded by one who understands the burden of knowledge, one who fears the temptation enough to resist it."

Larz clenched his fists, frustration creeping into his voice.

Larz: "And what if I fail? What if one day, I can't resist? What if—"

Luden placed a hand on his shoulder.

Luden: "Then the world will suffer. And that is why you must never allow yourself to falter."

The weight of it pressed down on Larz, heavier than any battle he had fought, heavier than any hardship he had endured. He had always sought answers, but now, he found himself entrusted with a question that could never be answered.

The Gate to the Overworld loomed before him, silent, eternal. He could feel its power, its pull, whispering at the edges of his mind.

What lies beyond me? What truths do I hold?

Larz knew he would never know.

Because his duty was not to understand the Overworld.

It was to keep the world from trying to understand it.

Luden stepped back, the weight of his years evident in his movements.

Luden: "I will leave now."

Larz turned sharply.

Larz: "You're leaving? Just like that?"

Luden nodded.

Luden: "A guardian cannot stand in the shadow of another. You must carry this burden alone."

Larz swallowed hard.

Larz: "And what if I need guidance?"

Luden smiled one last time.

Luden: "Then listen to the wind, Larz. The world will always whisper its truth, if you know how to listen."

And with that, Luden turned, walking toward the cliffs where the sea raged below. The wind carried his figure into the night, and soon, he was gone—just as mysteriously as he had arrived all those years ago.

Larz stood alone before the Gate to the Overworld, its carvings glowing faintly in the dim moonlight. He felt the weight settle on his shoulders—the burden that would remain with him until the end of time.

The world would never know his name.

But it would remain safe.

Because there would always be a guardian.

And tonight, that guardian was him.