Writers use decay in multifaceted ways to evoke both the literal and metaphorical erosion of subjects over time. In historical narratives, the term captures the physical decline of empires and infrastructures, such as the weakening navy of a once-mighty power ([1]) or crumbling buildings that speak to a bygone era ([2]). In literary and mythic contexts, decay often symbolizes the inevitable fading of beauty and grace, as with the poignant scent of a season hinting at its own demise ([3]) or the notion that even exalted customs and traditions can deteriorate under time’s relentless march ([4]). This rich imagery extends to nature and human life alike, where decay is interwoven with cycles of rebirth and renewal, suggesting that impermanence is an integral, even if melancholic, part of existence ([5], [6]).