Lyria's Choice
Once upon a time, in the intoxicating realm of Zerellia, lived a young and amiable sorceress by the name Lyria. She was a paragon of kindness, her heart bloated with it just as a river bursts with water after weeks of rain. She bore the gift of magic, an ability as rare and precious as the shimmering diamonds in the depths of the earth.
Lyria dwelled in a cloistered hamlet nestled amidst a forest brimming with enchantment. The flora dazzled with hues of alabaster, azure, amethyst, and gold, while luminary creatures, their bodies radiating a warm, ethereal glow, danced from tree to tree. At other times of the year, these spirits would dance under the stars, presenting a spectacle of cosmic lullaby to the eyes of the fortunate viewer.
"Magic is a realm of paradoxes, for magic is as light as it is dark, as selfless as it is selfish. It can heal, but also harm. Build, but also destroy. One needs to be careful, dear child, for it is a wild and untamed beast," the elderly shaman, the teacher of Lyria, would often caution her.
Lyria listened to the wise words of her teacher but had faith in her heart, as pure as the first snowflake of winter, that her magic would never steer towards a malevolent path.
Then came the day when King Reiner, having heard the whispers of Lyria's extraordinary powers, summoned her to meet him at the cold stone halls of his lofty castle. Skeptical, but not fearful, Lyria undertook the journey towards the grand marble monument that served as the dwellings of the King and his kin.
"Lyria, I beseech you to conjure an elixir," King Reiner pleaded, his usually stern voice now coloured with desperation. "An elixir potent enough to shield my kingdom from the plague that’s befallen. My kingdom is marred by suffering, my people by a curse so potent that bodies weaken and spirits fade."
"I'll do my best, King Reiner,” Lyria promised. Her voice echoed through the hall, a symphony of resolve and determination.
Days turned into weeks as Lyria toiled relentlessly, her hands seldom idle and her mind always engrossed. At last, her efforts bore fruit in the form of a pearly elixir, radiant as the first rays of sunshine, and brimming with potent healing magic.
As she handed over the elixir to the King, he held it in his grip with a slick smile, his eyes glinting with trepidation. "I never knew a girl like you could possess such formidable powers," he remarked. Then, he did something unthinkable. King Reiner poured the elixir over himself, his body engulfing in a blinding light.
When the light faded, before Lyria stood not King Reiner, but a grotesque and monstrous creature. His body was as dark as a moonless night, and his eyes glowed like coals from hell's darkest depth. He had deceived Lyria, using her elixir to break his own hidden curse, and in the process, had transformed into a monster, a behemoth of lust for power and destruction.
Lyria's heart sank. Her worst fear had materialized-- her magic was tainted. But amid despair, courage awoke within her. She recalled her shaman's words, "Magic is as light as it is dark", and she chose light. The monster that stood before her was a product of darkness, her magic's darkness.
Gathering all her strength, Lyria opened herself to the positive forces of the universe, letting them fuse with her magic. As the energy coursed through her veins, her body developed a glowing aura, pulsating with pure, raw power. Raised arms towards the monstrous figure of King Reiner, she uttered an ancient enchantment, known only to the harmonious children of Zerellia.
The monstrous king’s shriek filled the castle, echoing through its vast marble halls. His body shrank, his dark hue lightened, and his eyes lost their demonic glow. When silence finally blanketed the castle, King Reiner was no more. His reign had ended...
Lyria's eyes were filled with profound sadness, but deep within her, a spark of relief fluttered. The burden she had not chosen was lifted, and a new dawn awaited the kingdom. The people of Zerellia respected, loved, and feared Lyria, for she had demonstrated what magic could do, both its severity and its benevolence.
Thus, forever etched in the annals of Zerellian history, the tale of Lyria, the gentle sorceress with a heart of gold, and her magic serves as a reminder that our choices define us and that power can be both destructive and healing. The choice, as always, lies with the wielder…
