The Mirage
In the heart of the city lived a man named Elias, whose days were marked by a relentless pursuit of truth. Once, he had been an idealist, convinced that the world was a grand puzzle waiting to be solved. He read philosophy, studied history, and embraced the principles of justice and morality. Yet, as years wore on, his ideals began to crumble beneath the weight of a harsher reality. Elias had once been a successful architect, crafting elegant buildings with precision. But as he ventured deeper into his career, he discovered that the city’s façade hid a darker truth. Corruption was rampant, deceit was the norm, and every step towards success seemed to come with a price. Projects were manipulated for profit, and integrity was traded for power. The beauty he once saw in the world’s structures now seemed hollow, the grand design nothing more than a mirage. The disillusionment took root in his heart, turning into a smoldering anger that he could no longer ignore. Every street corner he pass...