“The Most Desirable Man in the World”

Once upon a time, in a small forgotten village, there lived a man named Edgar. He was a peculiar and lonely soul, often shunned by society due to his unconventional appearance. His face was marred by deep scars, his skin uneven and pale, and his eyes seemed to hold a profound sadness.

Edgar had always yearned to be the most desirable human on the planet. The attention and admiration reserved for those blessed with conventional beauty consumed his thoughts day and night. His desire to transform himself into the epitome of physical perfection grew into an all-consuming obsession.

One fateful night, as Edgar lay in bed, he had a vivid dream. In his dream, a mysterious figure whispered to him about an elixir hidden in the darkest depths of the Earth’s ocean, the Mariana Trench. This elixir, the figure promised, had the power to grant Edgar his deepest desires, making him the most desirable human on the planet.

Knowing the Mariana Trench to be the deepest part of the ocean, Edgar was aware of the immense challenges involved in reaching such depths. Humans, due to the extreme pressure, could only venture into the trench in a submersible. Undeterred by this obstacle, Edgar was determined to find a way to reach the trench and acquire the elixir.

Driven by desperation, Edgar sought out experts in deep-sea exploration and marine biology to aid him in his quest. Together, they meticulously planned and prepared for the treacherous journey ahead. Equipped with a state-of-the-art submersible and cutting-edge technology, they set out on a research vessel, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.

Their voyage was fraught with danger and uncertainty. The journey took them through treacherous storms, their vessel tossed and battered by the unforgiving waves. Edgar and his team faced countless dangers, including encounters with massive sea creatures and unexpected equipment malfunctions. But their determination never wavered.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months as they descended deeper into uncharted waters. The immense pressure of the deep sea posed a constant threat, and the team had to rely on their expertise and the advanced technology of their submersible to withstand the conditions and continue their descent.

Finally, on a fateful day, Edgar’s keen eyes caught a glimpse of a faint glow in the distance. It beckoned him like a siren’s song, drawing him closer to the source.

With a mix of anticipation and caution, the team approached the hidden cave that held the elixir. They carefully maneuvered the submersible through the narrow passages, relying on their expertise to navigate the treacherous underwater labyrinth. The walls seemed to close in on them, the darkness pressing against their senses, but they pressed on, driven by their insatiable desire.

Inside the cave, they found a small chamber illuminated by an otherworldly light. In its center, on a pedestal, rested a glowing vial, shimmering with a captivating energy. This was the elixir they had sought, the key to unlocking their deepest desires.

With trembling hands, Edgar reached for the vial and uncorked it. He hesitated for a moment, his heart pounding with anticipation. And then, with a mixture of fear and exhilaration, he drank the elixir, feeling its power surge through his veins.

In an instant, a transformation swept over Edgar. His scars faded away, his skin became flawless, and his eyes sparkled with an otherworldly radiance. His entire being exuded an aura of irresistible attraction. Edgar had become the epitome of physical perfection, the world’s most desirable man.

With newfound confidence and allure, Edgar and his team resurfaced from the depths of the ocean, ready to embrace a world that would be captivated by his presence. But as they stepped onto the land, a sense of unease settled in their hearts.

There was no one.

The bustling streets were empty, the buildings stood abandoned, and not a single soul could be found. It was as if the world had been stripped of its inhabitants, leaving only Edgar and his team behind.

Confusion and fear gripped Edgar. He had achieved his ultimate desire, becoming the most desirable man alive, but there was no one left to desire him. The world had become a hauntingly empty canvas, devoid of the admiration and attention he had craved.

As Edgar and his team explored the deserted cities, they searched for any signs of life, any indication of what had happened. But all they found were remnants of a once-thriving civilization, now reduced to a haunting silence.

In his solitude, Edgar’s perfect appearance became a cruel reminder of the hollowness that surrounded him. The very thing he had sought so desperately had become his curse, a constant reminder of the world he had lost.

Days turned into months, and months turned into years, as Edgar wandered the empty streets, yearning for human connection that no longer existed. His desires had consumed him completely, leaving him stranded in a world devoid of purpose and meaning.

In the end, Edgar’s pursuit of physical perfection had led him to a fate far worse than his initial loneliness. He had become the most desirable man in a world where desire no longer existed. His obsession had robbed him of the very essence of life – human connection.

And so, Edgar became the forlorn figure, forever lost in a deserted world. His desires had consumed him, leaving behind an empty shell of what he once was.

“Gretchen”

Part 1: The Forest

In the heart of the Black Forest, near the town of Karlbergen in Germany, a foggy evening set the stage for a chilling tale. Flight 3911, bound for Prague, was scheduled to land, but destiny had other plans. As the plane descended through the thick mist, an eerie silence enveloped the dense woods below. Tension crackled in the air as the aircraft plummeted, colliding with towering trees before crashing into the unforgiving terrain.

Amongst the wreckage, rescue teams combed through the debris, hoping to find survivors. Amidst the chaos, they discovered a lone teenage girl, dishevelled and dazed, emerging from the wreckage. The media affectionately dubbed her “Gretchen” due to a label on her blouse. With no identification, her presence only deepened the mystery surrounding the ill-fated Flight 3911.

Gretchen, as the locals would come to know her, was taken into the custody of local care services. Her wide eyes held an otherworldly knowledge, seeming to pierce through the darkness of her tangled hair. Officials questioned her, but Gretchen’s responses were cryptic, as if she held the secrets of the crash within the depths of her soul.

Part 2: The Enigma Unleashed

In the weeks that followed, Gretchen’s presence in the small town of Karlbergen sent shivers down the spines of its inhabitants. She exhibited bizarre and unnerving behavior that both intrigued and terrified those who encountered her. Whispers of her supernatural abilities spread like wildfire, as locals shared stories of objects moving in her presence and strange shadows dancing on the walls.

The caretakers assigned to Gretchen found themselves unable to comprehend the enigma that surrounded the teenage girl. She spoke in a language that seemed foreign, yet carried an unsettling familiarity. When questioned about the crash, she would fall silent, fixating her gaze on something unseen.

As Gretchen’s reputation grew, so did the fear that something more sinister was at play. The townspeople speculated about the cause of Flight 3911’s downfall. Was it a mere accident, or did Gretchen’s arrival signify a more ominous presence?

Part 3: The Unraveling Mystery

Journalists descended upon the quiet town of Karlbergen, eager to uncover the truth behind the gripping mystery. They probed the locals for information about Gretchen and the ill-fated flight, but the townspeople remained tight-lipped, reluctant to speak of the supernatural occurrences that had befallen them.

Rumours circulated that Flight 3911 had deviated from its course, venturing into forbidden airspace where strange phenomena were said to occur. Some believed the ancient secrets held by the forest itself were beyond the understanding of the modern world.

As investigators delved into Gretchen’s background, they discovered a series of peculiar events preceding the flight. Unexplained sightings, mysterious symbols, and reports of electronic malfunctions haunted the aircraft in the days leading up to the tragedy. The undeniable connection between Gretchen and these anomalies deepened.

Part 4: The Haunting

One night, as the moon cast an otherworldly glow over the Black Forest near Karlbergen, the town was plunged into darkness. Power lines hummed ominously before flickering out, leaving the streets shrouded in an inky blackness. A collective gasp echoed through Karlbergen as shadows danced, seemingly alive and guided by an unseen force.

The town’s clock tower, once a symbol of steadfastness, began to toll an eerie melody that sent chills down the spines of those who heard it. Whispers among the townspeople reached a fever pitch as they speculated about the malevolent force now gripping their once-peaceful hamlet.

Gretchen stood at the centre of it all, her expression serene and detached. Her eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, absorbing the mysterious energy that surrounded her.

Part 5: The Revelation

As the town descended further into chaos, a group of investigators unearthed a forgotten legend passed down through generations. It warned of an ancient power lying dormant beneath the Black Forest, a spectral force that manipulated the paths of those who dared to cross its territory.

The legend spoke of a girl, much like Gretchen, who was believed to be the vessel for this otherworldly force. Her purpose was to awaken the dormant power and unleash it upon the world. Flight 3911, it seemed, was unwittingly caught up in a cosmic game, destined to crash as part of an ancient prophecy.

Realising that Gretchen held the key to understanding, the investigators confronted her, demanding answers about the legend, Flight 3911, and the strange events that had befallen the town. With a knowing smile, Gretchen began to speak, weaving a tapestry of ancient mysteries and forbidden knowledge.

Part 6: The Final Descent

As Gretchen revealed the hidden truths, the town of Karlbergen braced itself for the inevitable climax. Enlightened yet powerless, the investigators watched in horror as the girl they sought to understand embraced her destiny.

The legends spoke of a final descent, a moment when the ancient power would rise from the depths of the forest and reshape the world. Flight 3911, a sacrificial offering, had played its role in the grand design.

Gretchen’s words echoed through the night, and the forest near Karlbergen responded. Trees swayed in a macabre dance, and the haunting shadows that had plagued the town converged, forming a spectral figure. The townspeople, filled with terror and awe, witnessed the ancient force taking shape.

With a deafening roar, the entity surged forward, consuming everything in its path. The investigators, the townspeople, and Gretchen herself vanished into the swirling abyss. The legend had come alive, and the town of Karlbergen was swallowed by darkness.

Epilogue: The Silence After

In the aftermath of the cataclysmic events that destroyed the town of Karlbergen, Gretchen emerged silently from the decimation. With an air of secrecy and an unsettling calm, she confronted no one, leaving behind only eerie silence.

Dishevelled and ghostly, she drifted off into the bleak horizon, her presence otherworldly and enigmatic. No one could decipher her intentions, but a sense of impending doom hung heavy in the air.

As Gretchen disappeared into the distance, her figure barely discernible against the desolate backdrop, the world held its breath, uncertain of what dark path she would tread and what havoc she would unleash upon her journey.

“Hungry Ghosts”

The concept of hungry ghosts traces back to ancient Indian culture, where they were known as Preta. However, the origin stories surrounding hungry ghosts vary across legends.

In the Buddhist tradition, particularly in the Chuan-chi po-yuan ching (“Sutra of One Hundred Selected Legends”) from the early third century, tales of hungry ghosts abound. One story recounts the misdeeds of a wealthy man who, while away, instructed his wife to offer sugar cane juice to a monk. Instead, she deceitfully mixed her urine with the juice, leading to her rebirth as a hungry ghost.

Another narrative tells of a generous man whose wife, driven by greed, locked a monk in an empty room without food. Her karmic consequence was to be reborn as a hungry ghost for countless lifetimes. Many legends in the Buddhist tradition involve greedy individuals, often women who hoarded food in a previous life.

Additional stories from Kuei wen mu-lien ching (“The Sutra on the Ghosts Questioning Mu-lien”) highlight the consequences of avarice. One tale features a diviner who, due to his own greed, misled people and is now condemned to life as a hungry ghost.

In “The Legend of Mu-lien Entering the City and Seeing Five Hundred Hungry Ghosts,” five hundred sons of city elders denied food to begging monks, fearing they would exhaust their resources. Their afterlife fate was to be reborn as hungry ghosts, a consequence of their past stinginess.