Prophecy of Athlon
The Prophecy of Athlon, also known as the Doza Vision, refers to a series of divine revelations experienced by Empress Vadoma I during her pilgrimage to Athlon in 1737 AN. This enigmatic prophecy, centered around a cryptic poem, has sent shockwaves through Natopia, hinting at the return of the Butter Bull and foretelling a period of profound transformation.
The Vision
On the night of 7 Gevrader 1737 AN, Empress Vadoma I entered the Inner Sanctum of the Great Temple of Bous in Doza, Athlon for her customary evening prayers. Witnesses report that after approximately two hours of silence, an otherworldly golden glow began to emanate from beneath the sanctum's doors, accompanied by a low, rumbling sound reminiscent of distant thunder. When the doors finally opened, attendants found the Empress in a trance-like state, her imperial robes drenched in what appeared to be clarified butter. For the next several hours, Vadoma I spoke in a voice described by witnesses as "both her own and not her own," reciting a prophecy that would come to be known as the Doza Vision.
The Prophecy
At the heart of the Empress's vision was a six-line verse, which she repeated three times before collapsing into exhaustion:
Golden tides wash o'er the land,
Churning earth with bovine hand.
Foundations melt, borders blur,
In butter's wake, new worlds stir.
Natopia, once firm, now flows,
Remolded by the Bull who knows.
Following her recitation, the Empress reportedly described vivid images of Natopia's landscape transforming, with rivers of golden butter reshaping the empire's geography. She spoke of ancient Bovic temples rising from the earth, cities rearranging themselves into new configurations, and the sky taking on a perpetual golden hue. Most significantly, Vadoma claimed to have seen the Butter Bull itself, describing it as "a colossus of churned divinity, striding across Tapfer with purpose."
Interpretations and Reactions
The Dozan Bovic Church has been swift in its efforts to interpret the prophecy. The Council of Metrobosarchs convened an emergency session to discuss the prophecy's implications. While their full conclusions remain sealed, leaked reports suggest a split in interpretations. Some council members reportedly view the prophecy as a literal foretelling of geographic and political upheaval, while others interpret it as a metaphor for spiritual transformation.
Public Response
The Doza Vision has captivated the Natopian public. Pilgrimage to Athlon has increased by an estimated 300% since the prophecy was made public. Sales of butter and butter-making equipment have skyrocketed, with some economists warning of a potential "butter bubble." In Lindstrom, the Imperial Museum of Art has announced a new exhibition titled "Visions of a Buttered Empire," featuring works inspired by the prophecy. Meanwhile, in Tas Neemia, followers of the Dhurist rite have begun construction on a massive butter sculpture of the Butter Bull, claiming divine inspiration.
Skepticism and Controversy
Not all Natopians have embraced the prophecy. Some secular scholars have questioned the timing of the prophecy, noting its convenient alignment with ongoing debates about the role of the Dozan Bovic Church in Natopian governance.
