The Thief and the Cursed Kingdom

A thief stumbled into an impossible kingdom that rises from the desert sand for exactly

one hour each night. The moment he fell through, golden spires erupted around him and thousands

of citizens appeared from nothing. They called him the Anchor, the one prophesied

to break their curse and keep their city above ground forever. He had three nights to decide.

Stay and become their eternal king, binding his life force to theirs, or leave and condemn

them to sink back into darkness. The first night, he explored their libraries.

The second night, he met their children. The third night, he discovered the truth.

Their previous king hadn't died. He'd escaped. This kingdom didn't need saving.