Long…long ago, in a distant land, there was a prosperous nation named Akrifous, known for its beauty, grandeur, and wealth. The nation thrived with busy streets accompanied with music, and laughter.

Its warriors boasted of numbers in thousands, standing as the pride of the kingdom. The women... had the best of charm that men from far nations begged at their doors to marry them. And children played joyfully in the narrow streets until the moon rose to join them.

But the joy of Akrifous came to an abrupt end when a mysterious beast began terrorizing the land, ravaging their villages with untold ferocity. No one knew where it came from, only that it was unstoppable.

 As the creature's attacks grew more frequent, the once-vibrant streets grew silent, and the people locked themselves away in fear. The proud warriors who once defended the kingdom were now dwindling in number, falling victim to the beast's wrath.

One day, Susanna, the second and most beloved wife of King Gario, known for her ravishing beauty and mysterious past as a sorceress, felt it her duty as queen to visit the affected villagers and offer her aid. However, as she and her entourage made their way back to the palace that fateful evening, the moon rose more quickly than expected, signaling danger. The beast, as swift as the moon's ascent, descended upon them.

The guards fought valiantly, but one by one, they fell to the creature's fury. Samantha, wielding the last remnants of her sorcery, fought with all her might. Her spells burned through the darkness, and in a final desperate move, she managed to wound the beast, forcing it to retreat into the night. But it came at a great cost—only she and a young guard survived the battle, both severely injured and barely alive.

When they reached the palace, King Gario's heart broke at the sight of his queen. He rushed Samantha to the infirmary, but it was too late. As she lay in his arms, her breathing shallow, she whispered something into his ear. 

"Gario... find the sorceress in the Northern forest... only she can defeat the creature... The more it kills, the stronger it grows..." she gasped, her voice faint.

"Who is this sorceress? Where can I find her?" the king asked desperately, his voice trembling. 

But Samantha could only manage a weak smile before drawing her final breath. Her hand fell limp in his, and the queen was gone.

Grief-stricken and also desperate to find the end to this beast, King Gario did a quick solemn burial for his queen, then summoned all the elders to devise a plan. 

The elders, after hearing the information from the late queen, became afraid for their own sons' lives. They suggested sending the king's sons on the perilous journey to find the sorceress instead. However, the first and third wives of the king were quick to object.

"Why should our sons be sent into danger?" the first wife, Queen Saoirse, demanded. "Samantha gave the clue—her son, Damian, should be the one to go!"

Lady Aria, the third wife, nodded in agreement. "Damian is off age now. If anyone should take on this task, it must be him!"

The court fell silent as the king pondered their words. Then, with a heavy heart, he rose and spoke.

"If Damian goes on this journey and succeeds in defeating the creature, he shall be crowned the next king of Akrifous."

The king's court immediately buzzed with murmurs. 

Damian, the sixth of seven sons, had always been overlooked, barely an adult male, had little military training compared to his older brothers who were more masculine and warriors themselves.

Yet, who else would dare face the beast? And what if there were even greater dangers lurking in the forbidden Northern forest, a place no one ventured? The fear of the unknown weighed heavily on the elders and the two queens. But with reluctant acceptance, they all conceded—there was no other choice. Damian would go.

"Yeh Yeh" they all shouted.