As dawn began to break, King Arik woke up early. He noticed his wife sleeping peacefully, although there were weary lines of tension on her forehead. He understood that she was stressed about their elder daughter, and he felt the same way. Deciding to take action, he resolved to wake up early and meet with the royal advisor, who was known for making prophecies about their kingdom's magic and power. He got dressed up and entered his royal chariot, heading towards the largest library in Corbin, which was situated near the forest called Werifesteria.
As the king journeyed towards Werifesteria, he felt jittery and anxious. Out of habit, he constantly rubbed his white-stoned ring to calm his nerves. When the chariot stopped in front of the royal library, he quickly instructed his royal guards to lead him to the royal advisor named Evrin Dimitri.
As King Arik and his guard approached the front gate of the royal library, the door opened seemingly on its own, as if Evrin had anticipated the king's arrival. King Arik, perplexed, asked, "How did you know I was coming to visit you?" In response, Evrin replied, "Do you still doubt this eighty years of experience in magic?"
King Arik flashed a warm smile at Evrin and said, "Of course! How could I ever doubt your impressive years of magical expertise?" Evrin chuckled and gestured for the king to follow him into the library. "Right then, let's settle in and have a conversation in my study room!"
As King Arik and Evrin entered the study room, they settled into their chairs, a heavy silence enveloping them. Before King Arik could find the words to speak, Evrin gently interjected,"I know why you've come to see me, and I must apologize, Arik, but you can't change fate. Your daughter's destiny has already been written, and neither you, nor your powerful wife, nor I can alter it. The only advice I can offer is to search for a cure instead of trying to prevent what's inevitable. You cannot stop the ocean from drowning your daughter when she is a siren herself."
King Arik's heart sank as he heard Evrin's words. Worriedly, he asked, "What do you mean I should stop protecting my daughter and search for a cure? Which cure are you even talking about? The one that doesn't even exist? Don't humor me, Evrin. When my daughter was born, the people of my kingdom rejoiced, celebrating the arrival of their future queen. But I see her as a precious treasure that I must care for. The day I learned about her curse, it felt like it was my curse instead—witnessing my own child's downfall while being powerless to do anything but watch fate ruin her life."
Evrin sighed deeply, gazing into the troubled face of King Arik. "Arik, my dear child, I know your daughter's journey isn't but normal or smooth. It pains me to say this, but she will not be cursed forever. I truly believe that her cure will come to her in its own time. There will be a day when her healing will find its way to her. But until then, you, your kingdom, and everyone who resides in Corbin must wait patiently. It's not just Azara's curse; it's a curse on all of Corbin, but Azara is the bearer."
As King Arik listened, tears welled up in his eyes. His voice trembled with anguish. "Evrin, why must Corbin suffer for the actions of my ancestors? Why does my daughter have to endure this? Why? Why?" His voice broke, circling back to the same heart-wrenching questions, the frustration and sadness echoing like a child's lament for an injustice they cannot comprehend.
Evrin got up from his chair and walked towards King Arik. He placed his hands on the king's shoulders and said, "Sometimes, God makes us bear the consequences of actions our ancestors took. Just because their blood flows through our veins does not mean it's our fault, but we can feel like slaves to our own blood. Go back and wait patiently; let time reveal everything slowly on its own. Always remember, God can punish you, but He will never make you suffer forever. We are all immortal, and that doesn't mean we will be miserable forever. Life will give you dark nights of pain, but it will also provide the healing light of the moon."
As King Arik listened to Evrin's heartfelt words, he felt a lump form in his throat. He wiped away the misty tears that had welled up in his eyes, the weight of his worries pressing down on him. With a heavy heart, he rose slowly from his seat. "Fine, as you say, Evrin. I'll take my leave for now; otherwise, Aroha will start to worry," he replied, his voice tinged with sadness. He offered a brief farewell, knowing that this was the best choice for everyone involved. Settling himself into the plush cushions of his royal chariot, King Arik gazed out at the landscape of his kingdom, now shadowed in uncertainty. His mind swirled with thoughts of the misery of his kingdom, his family. Above all, his heart ached for his daughter, the innocent little soul who wandered through life blissfully unaware of the daunting future that lay ahead, a future shrouded in doubt and fear.
He let out a deep sigh, his breath mingling with the cool, crisp air as he whispered softly to himself, "The curse of Corbin will last forever. This breathtaking landscape, with its vibrant colors and serene beauty, will soon transform into a haunting shadow when the curse finally takes hold. People will exist merely as a biological necessity, their breaths taken out of obligation rather than the joyful desire to embrace life. And I will remain a silent witness, just as I am now, gazing upon this stunning view. But soon enough, it will all descend into nightmare, swallowed by darkness and despair."
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"The fire in my blood
Is both a blessing and a curse
For I will always need something to burn."
- By R. Sternberg