As the last embers of the fire flickered and the group settled into a reflective silence, Zahara Almasi broke the quiet with a contemplative tone. "Your story about the villagers and their reaction reminded me of a tale I once heard—though it's not my own. It's a story about a beast and a human."
The group leaned in, intrigued by the new tale. Zahara continued, "The story is about a beast who, unlike any other, fell deeply in love with a human. This beast was a creature of great power and immortality, a being who roamed the lands for centuries."
She paused, her gaze distant as she recalled the tale. "One day, this beast encountered a young woman who had been cast out by her family. She was blind, and because of her disability, no one wanted to marry her. Her family, in their cruelty, abandoned her in the forest, leaving her to fend for herself."
Elara's eyes softened. "That sounds tragic. What happened next?"
Zahara nodded. "The beast found the girl in the forest. Despite not knowing why, the beast felt a profound sense of pity and decided to help her. There was no clear reason for this decision, only a deep, inexplicable urge to protect her."
Kael, curious, asked, "Did the beast and the girl form a bond?"
Zahara continued, "Yes. The beast cared for her, providing her with shelter and food. Over time, an extraordinary bond developed between them. The beast, though immortal, was moved by the girl's resilience and spirit. In return, the girl began to transform, growing more beautiful and radiant despite her blindness."
Thalos, listening intently, inquired, "So, did the girl eventually come to understand the nature of the beast?"
Zahara shook her head slowly. "No. The girl never fully understood the nature of her savior. As days turned into years, their love for each other deepened, but the inevitable tragedy loomed. The beast, being immortal, remained unchanged, while the girl's mortality became apparent."
She paused, her voice heavy with emotion. "Eventually, the girl succumbed to age and illness, despite her enhanced beauty. Her death was a crushing blow to the beast, who had hoped for a different ending. The beast was left alone, mourning the loss of the one who had brought light into its eternal darkness."
Aurelia, visibly moved, said, "It's a heartbreaking story of love and loss. The beast's immortality made it both a guardian and a prisoner of time, unable to share its eternal life with the one it loved."
Nyssa, with a thoughtful expression, added, "The tale is a poignant reminder of the limitations of even the most powerful beings. Immortality does not shield one from the pain of losing loved ones."
Lucius nodded in agreement. "The beast's story highlights the inherent tragedy of eternal existence. To love someone who is bound by the natural limits of time creates a rift that even the strongest being cannot bridge."
Zahara concluded, "Indeed. The tale serves as a reminder that love, no matter how profound, is subject to the constraints of mortality and time. It's a bittersweet reflection on the nature of our existence."
As the discussion settled, the group was enveloped in a contemplative silence, each member reflecting on the poignant story. The night deepened, and the fire cast long shadows as they prepared to rest.