Petra (2/4) : The Prime Dynasty (1/3) : Origins and El-Deir

The Airbus Corporate Jet glided gracefully through the endless sky, a stunning display of human ingenuity and technology.

Every tiny detail was meticulously arranged for our trip to Petra, Jordan. We'd secured all the necessary permissions through secret routes, ensuring everything went smoothly.

Skye, nestled in my glasses and earpiece, linked me to a web of satellites—some civilian, some military—and Jordan's local systems. She became my reliable guide, always there with insights and help on this real-world adventure.

"Connected to Jordan's database. Everything's set, Sam. Welcome to Petra," Skye's voice echoed in my ear as our plane entered Jordan's airspace.

Her digital presence felt comforting, like having a friend along for the ride.

The vast landscape below hinted at Petra's mysterious allure, a place brimming with history and tales of old. But for now, we were set to land at King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, a city leading us to the hidden treasures within Jordan's land.

Looking out the window, my thoughts drifted to the Cybertronians and their origins—a tale spanning the ages. In the vastness of the cosmos, something extraordinary emerged—an entity born from the essence of the Universe.

Overflowing with wisdom, this cosmic force kick-started the creation of mechatronic civilizations, literally breathing life into existence. This force set the stage for the thirteen mechanoids—the ones that started it all for the Cybertronians. Each of them had amazing powers and looked after different parts of the universe.

As time ticked on, the Cybertronians faced a major truth—the Allspark, their source of life, wasn't infinite. It had the power to create the thirteen primes, but it was slowly running out. So, they set out on a quest to recharge it.

A star's explosion, a supernova, revealed a massive burst of energy—a potential solution to revive the Allspark. After all, in human terms, a supernova had the energy of a few octillion nuclear warheads.

But there was a catch: they couldn't harm other life forms. To them, protecting life was as important as protecting the Allspark, since the All Spark symbolized life.

In keeping with their sacred duty, the matrix of leadership stepped in, creating new Cybertronians wherever it went.

These new beings, the Transformers, were something else entirely—they could transform in amazing ways, while the original thirteen couldn't. And that's how the Dynasty of Primes came to be—a bunch of cosmic guardians bound by honor, tasked with looking after life and keeping the Allspark safe.

The emergence of the matrix of leadership was a game-changer. It worked like a magical generator, creating new Cybertronians whenever it came into contact with something.

These new beings, the Transformers, were something else—they could change their shapes in ways that even the original thirteen Cybertronians couldn't. And that's how the Dynasty of Primes started—a group of cosmic preservers who looked after things because they thought it was their duty to do so.

Digging into Megatron's memories was like opening a treasure chest full of secrets. Skye, using her clever skills, uncovered lots of hidden stuff.

Among all that, the mysterious mention of "Ice man" would have got me curious. But it was just another name for Megatron who was trapped in ice. It was like a riddle wrapped in a puzzle, hiding some big secret.

When we finally reached Petra, the landscape was so stunning that it was hard to think about anything else for a moment. But then I noticed something weird on my own arm—a strange pattern made of glowing purple stuff.

It felt like it was trying to say something cryptic, like "Primes are born, not made." It made me wonder if somehow I was part of something incredible, but it was all so confusing, like trying to solve a puzzle without the right pieces.

Standing there in Petra, the ancient city seemed to come alive before my closed eyes. I tapped into this weird power called the dark spark and, like magic, the whole city's history unfolded in front of me.

Petra was mind-blowing—a mix of beauty and different cultures coming together. It was like an ancient metropolis where people back then were super smart and cool. The way they built stuff and how they all lived together was so impressive. It wasn't just about the buildings; it was about how their way of life influenced the world around them.

The Nabateans were like desert wizards when it came to handling water in the dry, sandy lands of Petra. Their water system was incredibly smart. Picture this: a whole network of channels and spots designed to catch water from seasonal floods.

During certain times of the year when the floods came, these spots gathered water and spread it around. This water magic was what kept life going strong in the desert area, helping Petra to flourish.

Now, Petra wasn't a regular town; it was like the busiest marketplace ever! People from all over the place came here to trade things and share their cultures. Positioned perfectly along important trade routes, it became a melting pot of cultures and goods from places like Arabia, Egypt, Syria, and the Mediterranean.

And it wasn't just about buying and selling stuff; it was about sharing ideas, art, and knowledge. That's what made Petra such an awesome and diverse place.

But the buildings in Petra—they were simply mind-blowing! They didn't just build structures; they carved them right into these cliffs that were all pinkish and made of sandstone. Imagine making tombs, temples, theaters, and houses that were so detailed and amazing, showcasing the Nabateans' incredible skills with rocks and craftiness.

One building that stood out was the Al-Khazneh, also known as the Treasury. This place was like a masterpiece, showing off its fancy design and the intricate patterns that revealed ancient art and craftsmanship.

Imagine Petra's cityscape—full of buildings that were like nothing else you've seen before. These weren't your ordinary buildings; they were carved right into the rock!

The Nabateans were super skilled at turning cliffs into homes, tombs, and even theaters. They must have been like rock artists, sculpting the stone into shapes that made people go "wow."

One of the star attractions in Petra's architecture was the Al-Khazneh, or the Treasury. This wasn't a bank—it was a jaw-dropping building with an incredibly detailed facade. Just imagine walking up to this place and seeing all those fancy columns and carvings.

It's like stepping back in time and witnessing a masterclass in ancient architecture. People believe it was a tomb or maybe a temple, but the mystery adds to its allure.

But the Al-Khazneh wasn't the only impressive building in Petra. There were theaters carved right into the rock, where people sat and watched shows. The biggest one could hold around 8,500 people! Can you imagine that many folks crammed into a rock-carved theater? It's like going to a modern-day stadium but way cooler because it's carved from stone.

Then there were these houses, cozy little places carved into the cliffs. They weren't just plain caves; the Nabateans decorated them with cool designs and features. You could picture families living there, cozy and snug, protected by those towering cliffs.

What's fascinating about Petra's planning is how they used the natural landscape to their advantage. They didn't just plonk buildings down; they thought about where to put them to make the most of the cliffs and valleys.

They used the rocks to shape the buildings, carving them in a way that blended right into the surroundings. It wasn't just about making things look good; it was also about making the most of what nature had to offer.

Walking around Petra was like entering a huge puzzle surrounded by gigantic cliffs. I stumbled upon the Monastery, also known as The El-Deir of Petra. This place was massive and stunning, showing off how fancy Petra's culture and buildings were.

But here's the kicker: there was this feeling, this vibe, like there was something extra special hidden underneath, just waiting to be uncovered. I knew exactly what it was. After all, a 21st century reincarnated soul couldn't just leave out the details.

As I stood there, a strange sensation tingled through my body, and the pulsating purple energon seemed to connect with the vibrant energy lingering in the air. It wasn't just an ancient monastery; it held secrets far beyond its weathered stone walls. This place held a profound history—a legacy that stretched back thousands upon thousands of years.

It wasn't just about the majestic architecture or the stunning carvings; it was about what lay beneath the surface. This was the very spot where the Six Primes had made the ultimate sacrifice, giving themselves up to protect what would become of humanity.

Imagine that—the origins of our kind, the place where the ancestors of Homo Sapiens walked, right here where the Neanderthals and Denisovans roamed as sentient apes at 17,000 BC. It was surreal to think about the vast expanse of time and history contained within these ancient walls.

This was the sacred ground that enshrined the Tomb of the Primes, a testament to the lineage of cosmic stewards—the Dynasty of Primes. Their legacy resonated through the air, and it was almost as if their presence lingered, a reminder of their sacrifice and the responsibility they bore for the safety of life across the universe.

As I stood in that moment, the weight of history pressed upon me. It sent chills down my spine to think about the cosmic forces and the guardians of the universe, who had chosen this very place to leave behind their mark—a legacy that transcended the ages.