The Epic of Protha

The Epic of Protha is a series of stories written in the ancient Khemaran script. The stories revolve around the quasi-divine heroine Protha. Some scholars theorize that the stories were transcribed from Khemaran Hieroglyphs, specifically those found in the Temple of Eva. Others argue that Protha's legend may itself predate the temple, which was constructed around the founding of the Ur-Ket Dynasty of Khemar.

The story is set during the time of the First Men. Protha is described as among their number, and the first part of the story appears to be a fantastical account of numerous battles against ancient Dragons and Giants. During the course of these battles, Protha displays her impressive prowess. She deals decisive defeats to both foes of the First Men, and attracts the attention of Remanus, another of the First Men, who is described as a king or war leader in the stories. Remanus creates the shape-shifting Enti to accompany Protha, and slowly gain her trust, gathering information for Remanus to use to seduce her. Unexpectedly, Enti refuses to help sway Protha's opinions, but the two become fast friends. Protha and Enti travel together to the legendary Ashen Isles, in the hopes of slaying the Progenitor Dragons and scattering the ashes. Remanus then descends to punish Protha for refusing his advances. Protha wounds Remanus, but not before Remanus deals a fatal blow to Enti. Following this, Protha is banished from the heavens, and she wanders the world in darkness, lamenting over the death of Enti. This distress prompts Protha to undertake a long journey, fraught with danger, to find the secret of life that might return Enti to her. Along the way, she discovers a relic that grants her eternal life. Protha eventually succeeds in returning Enti to life, but Enti is changed by her time among the dead. She is overflowing with hatred for Remanus, and deceives Protha. The two of them re-enter the heavens, and Enti viciously attacks Remanus's firstborn daughter, killing her. For this, Enti and Protha are both sentenced to death by all Remanus, but both escape. Enti retreats into darkness, hiding away and waiting for a moment to lash out against the First Men, who so desperately wanted her dead. Protha survives in exile until the First Men forgive her mistake. Remanus offers her a place in the heavens once again, if she will but share her secret of returning the dead to life. Protha refuses, believing that, as Enti came back full of rage, any person so raised in this way would be a mere shadow of their former self. For refusing Remanus yet again, Protha is banished from the heavens for all time.