Travelers approach Sodom’s imposing gates, the sandstone walls catching the first rays of sunlight. Vendors shout their wares beside fountains carved in the shapes of forgotten gods, and the aroma of spiced bread mingles with the city’s darker scents. Children dart through alleyways, laughter echoing as they vanish into the maze of stalls and archways. Yet beneath the city’s vibrant exterior, an uneasy tension lingers.
Within the grand bazaar, merchants flaunt jewels and rare spices, their voices weaving spells of desire. Strangers are invited into lavish homes, where feasts never end and wine flows like water. Yet behind every smile lies a hidden motive, and whispers of corruption drift through the air like smoke. The city’s pleasures entice even the most resolute hearts.
Old Woman, a mysterious figure who seems both ancient and ageless.
"Beware the sweetness of Sodom," the old woman intones, her voice low and urgent. "This city devours the souls of the unwary. Its shadows run deeper than stone." The traveler hesitates, glancing back at the glowing revelries, torn between curiosity and dread.
Behind closed doors, deals are struck and secrets traded. In the central square, a statue of a forgotten deity looms, its gaze cold and indifferent as supplicants plead for favor. The city’s leaders gather in hidden chambers, their ambitions fueling the city’s relentless hunger. Outside, the poor and desperate huddle in alleys, shadows swallowing their hope.
Lightning illuminates terrified faces pressed against windows, while floodwaters surge through Sodom’s labyrinthine alleys. The grand towers, once symbols of pride, now seem fragile and insignificant. In the chaos, the old woman’s words echo: "No city built on shadows can stand against the coming dawn."
Survivors emerge, faces etched with sorrow and awe. The city’s glory, stripped away by wind and rain, reveals the emptiness beneath. Amid the rubble, the old woman stands alone, her gaze fixed on the horizon where a new day rises—one that promises reflection and, perhaps, redemption for those willing to change.
