Long before history recorded its first kings, before empires rose and fell, there was Luden—a figure of wisdom and mystery, a being neither mortal nor god, who walked the earth not to rule, but to enlighten. His teachings shaped civilizations, whispered through the leaves of the Arbor Divus, yet the world has all but forgotten his name.

Among those who sought him, one man stood apart—Larz, a restless wanderer burdened by questions he could never answer. In him, Luden saw a mind unchained by convention, a soul tested by suffering, and a heart capable of bearing the weight of knowledge. Thus, Larz became Luden’s first disciple, though his journey was far from simple.

As Luden gathered his thirty disciples, each one scarred by life’s hardships, he revealed the world’s greatest secret: a Gate to the Overworld, hidden beyond the seven seas, buried deep within the forgotten mountains. It was not merely a passage, but a force beyond comprehension—a door to creation and destruction, meant to remain sealed lest it unravel the fragile balance of existence.

But balance is never eternal. Forces beyond Luden’s reach conspired in the shadows, seeking to unearth what should remain hidden. And as the world turned, the burden of guarding the gate fell upon Larz. Would he uphold the path his master had set, or would the whispers of the Overworld tempt him into the unknown?

A story of wisdom, sacrifice, and the weight of knowledge, this tale explores the thin line between enlightenment and madness, destiny and free will, and the eternal question—
Should all truths be revealed?

divus crewel

Luden