Welcome

Beginnings(2009)

The Great Cavern of the ancient subterranean city of D'ni has been sealed from the public. In the light of the many happenings before the closure, most have returned once again to the surface. Still, there are those who have remained, and continue to explore. In fact, many of us have been exploring relentlessly for years now; searching out the answers to the great riddle that is D'ni, seeking out the paths that will lead us to its truths. That's how my part in this story, and the story of this place, began.

I have seen much since the day the book found me; the day I found Myst Island. Since then, I have come to realize that Time is precious, and that it can be cruel. Fate is a fine line between possibility and impossibility; the improbable can be conceived. All these things I have had to learn to believe in, and they have been true. The places I have journeyed to, and the events that have lead me here to D'ni - they are my most precious possessions; nothing will ever be enough to take the memories from me. The memories of my friend and of the plight of his family and people; the lives we have saved, the wrong that we have undone, and the treasures we have found. The prophecies we have seen fulfilled. All of these things(and more as you will see) have brought me down here, after many long years, to this lowly place of great power. They will keep me here, seeking, until the end.

For many years I have been alone, searching, and have become a cold shadow to my own world. On the surface, those who I once trusted have become distant and indifferent; they do not understand what I have seen, the great secrets that I have learned. They have questions but, they do not know - the surface world is their captor. Still, they are comforting, but my mind is always drawn back here, drawn back to the journey, and I know I cannot remain among them. It has been 5 years since I last returned to the surface; perhaps there would be few left who would welcome me back after so long, but now, there are many - down here- in whom I can trust. My loneliness fades more and more each passing day I am near them, and I feel alive once again. Indeed, the Least have become the Great.

For a short time, the gathered were here; they came from the surface, seeking the same answers I have sought-bringing light. I am a part of the gathered. D'ni breathed again; voices filled the darkness once more. I befriended some of them, and we discovered much together. We followed her, the shining Desert Bird, because she knows the way home. What we found was much greater than we ever could have imagined, and we continue to explore and learn. She is teaching us. They are teaching us. Many of us will never return to the surface; this dark cavern has become our refuge, just like it was for the D'ni people. I will never forget these times; our time, the time of the coming of the Desert Bird, and of the returning of the gathered, and of the Least.

And now, I can feel the soul of D'ni awakening again; it breathes once more. I can sense it everywhere here, and I have longed for it. The gathered are being called to D'ni again, the Desert Bird is calling them here again. The Least are calling them again - out to the desert. There are new lessons to be learned, new secrets to discover. The ending has not been written - and the gathered remain willing to help, and learn; always. They know that in time, all things come full cycle. And so we begin again, but not unknowingly, because we have been here before, and we want to be here. The gathered feel the call of destiny, and of the journey to truth and knowledge.

Some have already returned; I have spoken with many of them, and they hunger for this place and what it holds. The very essence of D'ni is what they most desire. More come each day. Star and Danny and the others are back here with me now; lights are being strung in the neighborhoods, and I feel whole again. The shadows within the deep corners of this place have begun to move as well - the Least, who have now become the Great, are still here with us. They will always be here with us; watching, helping.

Indeed, much has happened since the closure of the Cavern. Much is here to be discovered for those who would seek out the truths of this ancient subterranean realm. D'ni has become my love, my life, and I will pursue the secrets it holds until I find them, or the Maker take me.

I have decided to reveal some of the wondrous things I have come to know; old records and secrets I have kept with me for years. The gathered have great power now; the pen has been placed into their hands. There are many who know even more than I, but I want them to know all the things that I know, and to see the things that I have seen. I invite you to share my personal Myst experience. Enjoy.

May the words, images, and pages that follow be a source of unlimited power and enlightenment to the newly gathered, in the name of the Maker of worlds.

From the Depths of D'ni,

-Stranger
2009/D'ni