The Begining

In the heart of Atlas, a majestic kingdom of emerald hills and sapphire rivers, stands a marble palace that witnessed the joys and sorrows of the Haidar dynasty. Six years have passed since King Haidar and Queen Alice, pillars of wisdom and goodness, were summoned back to the bosom of the Divine. Now, the throne of Atlas is held by their son, King Titan, a brave young ruler but burdened by great responsibility.

The kingdom longed for an heir. Titan's marriage to Queen Alzena, a gentle-hearted woman of dazzling beauty, was greeted with joy by the entire land. However, the seasons change with no signs of pregnancy. The people began to whisper, fear creeping into their minds. Will their kingdom end in the hands of a ruler without descendants?

Among the frightened whispers, hidden was a name spoken: Serena. A wizard who is haunted by an old grudge against King Haidar, Titan's father.

Titan, although a rational king, could not ignore the possibility of the curse. He secretly summoned the greatest scholars and experts in his kingdom to find out the truth. They found ancient records that hinted at Serena's curse, but there was no way to be sure.

Queen Alzena, sensing her husband's unease, approached him cautiously. She was a wise and patient woman, though she was also wounded by the fact that she had not been able to provide the kingdom of Atlas with an heir. "My husband," she said softly, "do you believe in curses?"

The Titan sighed. "I do not know, my love. But our kingdom depends on it. I must ascertain the truth."

Together, they decided to confront Serena. The journey to their destination took them through forbidden forests and snow-capped peaks, until they finally arrived at Serena's isolated hut. The sorceress, now wrinkled and aged, greeted them with a sneer.

"So the Titan King has come to me at last," Serena taunted. "Did you miss my curse?"

The Titan replied calmly, "We have not come to make enemies, Serena. Our kingdom is suffering. We only wish to know whether your curse is real?"

Serena laughed coldly. "Of course there is. Haidar's blood will dry and there will be no heir to sit on the throne of Atlas."

The Titan's eyes flashed with anger, but Alzena touched her hand, calming her. "Is there a way to undo this curse?" she asked softly.

Serena fell silent, her eyes staring deeply into Alzena's. "There is. But the price to pay is very high."

Serena offered the Titan King and Queen Alzena a pact. She would give them a magic potion that would guarantee Queen Alzena's pregnancy. The condition? One of their children, her descendant, would be destined to experience a love story similar to Serena's. A bitter love story, full of obstacles, and only broken by true love.

The Titan King was stunned. Queen Alzena looked at her husband with teary eyes. They exchanged glances, weighing the risks and hopes. Would they sacrifice the happiness of one of their children to save the kingdom? Would they selfishly reject the offer and leave the kingdom without an heir?

Finally, under Serena's sharp gaze, the Titan King nodded. "We accept your pact, Serena," he said in a deep voice.

Serena smiled faintly, a smile that did not reach her dark eyes. She handed Queen Alzena a glass bottle filled with sparkling liquid. "This potion will work in a short time. But remember, King and Queen, fate is sometimes stronger than our wishes."

The couple thanked her and returned to the Atlas kingdom.

"Your Majesty," the voice of the palace maid broke the silence. "The potion is complete. As requested by the Titan King, this potion will help Her Majesty Queen Alzena to conceive."

The Titan King nodded, his green eyes filled with longing. They had waited for an heir to the throne for years, but fate had not seemed to be on their side.

"Thank you," the Titan King replied in a deep voice.

Queen Alzena, although looking a little pale, smiled softly at Serena. Gracefully, she accepted the silver cup filled with the golden liquid. Without hesitation, she drank it all down.

Two months passed. The atmosphere in the Atlas kingdom was now filled with joy. Queen Alzena, who had always looked sad before, was now radiant. Her belly began to swell, announcing the long-awaited good news.

The Titan King, never stopped accompanying the Queen. He even ordered the palace chefs to create the best dishes to maintain Alzena's health.

One afternoon, the Titan King called the palace physician back. "Tell me about the fetus in Queen Alzena's womb. Is it healthy? And... can you predict its gender?" asked the Titan King hopefully.

The physician nodded, then gently touched Queen Alzena's stomach and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Your Majesty, the fetus in Queen Alzena's womb is very healthy and strong. He will be born as a son, a brave heir to the throne," said the palace physician.

Hearing that, the Titan King exclaimed happily. He lifted Queen Alzena in his arms, spinning her around happily. "A son! The Kingdom of Atlas will have an heir!" he exclaimed.

News of Queen Alzena's pregnancy and the prediction of the birth of a son quickly spread throughout the kingdom. The people of Airla rejoiced in the news.

However, behind the overwhelming happiness, there was a little worry that crept into the Titan King's heart. He knew that giving birth to an heir was no guarantee of eternal happiness. On the contrary, it could be the beginning of Serena's words that would prove to befall her child.

Nine months of pregnancy felt like nine centuries for Queen Alzena. Every second was filled with hope, anxiety, and love that was increasingly overflowing for her future child. Finally, the long-awaited day arrived. The palace echoed with the sound of a baby's loud cry, a sign that the heir had been born.

The Titan King, a man known for his toughness and charisma, suddenly lost all his firmness. His eyes filled with tears as he held his first son. A wide smile adorned his face, eliminating the small wrinkles that usually adorned the corners of his eyes. He held the baby tightly, as if afraid that this happiness would disappear.

"Cyrill," he whispered in a trembling voice, "Your name is Cyrill Marvin. My son."

Cyrill, a small baby with tiny hands and feet, slept soundly in his father's arms. His skin was brown, inheriting the color of the fertile soil that was the source of their kingdom's strength. His eyes, which were tightly closed, would one day open and glow the same emerald green as the Titan King's eyes. His hair, slightly visible from behind the swaddling cloth, was brown with soft curls, just like Queen Alzena's hair.

Queen Alzena smiled weakly from her bed. The pain of labor was still felt, but the happiness she felt was much stronger. She looked at her husband and son with infinite love. Cyrill was the perfect combination of the two of them, a symbol of their love, the hope for the future of the kingdom.

The Titan King approached the bed and kissed Queen Alzena on the forehead. "Thank you, Alzena," he said sincerely. "You have given me a priceless gift."

The birth of Cyrill brought joy not only to the Titan King and Queen Alzena, but to the entire kingdom. The people rejoiced at the birth of the prince, who they hoped would bring prosperity and peace to their kingdom. The day was celebrated with revelry and sparkling fireworks, lighting up the night sky with the light of hope.

However, behind the joy, the Titan King knew that being a king and a father was no easy task. He had to make sure that Cyrill would grow up to be a wise, strong, and just leader. He promised himself that he would raise Cyrill with love, wisdom, and courage, equipping him with everything he needed to face the challenges ahead.

Within the walls of Titan Palace, the bustle and excitement were thicker than usual. The entire palace was buzzing with the happy news that young Prince Cyrill had begun walking.

Cyrill Marvin, heir to the Titan throne, was only a few months old. His hair was a slightly curly brown and his eyes were the color of a beautiful flower. Since his birth, he had been the source of love and hope for the entire kingdom. Now, seeing him tottering on his little feet was like a dream come true.

News of Prince Cyrill's first steps spread like wildfire. The ladies-in-waiting whispered happily, the palace chefs added extra sugar to the desserts, and the guards smiled behind their steel helmets. The great halls of the palace, usually filled with restrained grandeur, were now filled with small laughter and small footsteps.

However, no one was happier than the Titan King himself. A few days ago, Cyrill had spoken his first word. A simple word, yet full of meaning: "Father." That word, spoken in a small, slurred voice, had melted the Titan King's heart. Every time Cyrill called him “Father,” the Titan King felt as if the sun was rising inside him.

Cyrill was still very young, but his beauty was already shining. The court painters rushed to immortalize his little likeness on canvas, trying to capture the essence of his cheerfulness and innocence. Small statues of him adorned the palace gardens, reminding everyone of the bright future that awaited the Titan.

That night, the Titan King sat beside Cyrill’s bed. The moonlight flooded the room, highlighting the innocent face of his son as he slept soundly. The Titan King reached out with his large hand and combed Cyrill’s curly brown hair.

“You are the hope of Atlas, my son,” he whispered. “May you grow wise and strong, and rule my kingdom with justice and compassion.”

In his sleep, Cyrill smiled slightly. Perhaps, in his subconscious dream, he felt the love and hope conveyed to him by his father, his King.

Five years later,

In the majestic heart of the Palace of Atlas, where golden spiers towered and jeweled tapestries glittered on the walls, new life had sprung up. Five years after Prince Cyrill Marvin, a boy with brown skin and green eyes, entered the world of a strict royal education, joy once again filled the palace. The mighty King Titan, whose aura of leadership is as strong as a lion, and the graceful Queen Alzena, with a heart as gentle as a dove, have been blessed with another son.

He was named Altair Enver AlGulsen. His name, 'High-Flying Bird' in the ancient language of Atlas, was a hope and prayer engraved in every syllable. Altair, with silver hair and bright blue eyes as deep as the ocean inherited from the color of Queen Alzena's eyes, grew up under the loving care of his parents.

However, the Atlas Palace was not just a royal household, it was an institution that educated future leaders. Cyrill, five years older than Altair, had been immersed in the complicated lessons of strategy, history, and etiquette. His serious presence and strong determination made him an excellent student, though he also had a somewhat cold aura, as if the burden of royalty had left its early imprint on his shoulders.

Enver, on the other hand, was a warm rising sun. He was often seen laughing, running around the palace's magnificent halls or interrupting Cyrill's lessons with his innocent questions. While Cyrill was intent on studying battle tactics, Altair was more interested in the palace's gardens filled with exotic flowers and small creatures.

Their different personalities actually created a unique bond between the two brothers. Cyrill, though initially a little annoyed by his younger brother’s pestering, secretly enjoyed his presence. Enver’s laughter cut through the coldness that sometimes enveloped Cyrill, and his inquisitive questions forced him to see the world from a different perspective.

Enver, on the other hand, admired his older brother. He saw Cyrill as a hero, a true knight who would protect the Kingdom of Atlas. He would sit quietly beside Cyrill during long lessons, absorbing as much knowledge as he could, though his thoughts often wandered to the adventures he dreamed of.

As time went on, the Titan King and Queen Alzena harbored a deep fear. That fear was named Serena. Not a ghost, not a monster, but a witch.

They tried to protect the two children from the outside world, from any touch.

“Don’t touch that plant, Enver,” his mother would often warn, worry hidden in her voice. “It could be dangerous.”

“Don’t train too hard, Cyrill,” his father warned, his eyes filled with hidden fear. “You could hurt yourself.”

Cyrill and Enver, though they did not fully understand the reasons behind the prohibitions and warnings, felt the tension in the air. They knew that there was a great secret being hidden from them.

Cyril had turned 18, the age at which the traditions of the Atlas Kingdom demanded that he prove his maturity and ability as the successor to the throne. That tradition was a hunt in the Airla forest, an ancient forest known for its beauty and danger. For the princes of Atlas, Airla was not just a hunting forest, but a testing ground, where they learned to adapt, survive, and show courage.

Cyrill, though born and raised in the palace, felt anxious. He was not a good hunter but he knew that tradition could not be avoided. With a heavy heart, he put on armor that felt unfamiliar and carried a bow that he had not yet fully mastered.

With a group of experienced guards and hunters, Cyrill entered the gates of Airla Forest. The air immediately changed, becoming humid and filled with the scent of moss and wet earth. Sunlight only penetrated the dense foliage sporadically, creating dancing shadows on the forest floor.

For several days, Cyrill followed the tracks of game, learned to read the signs of nature, and tried to master his bow. However, he felt awkward and often fell behind the group. Frustration began to haunt him.

On the fourth day, Cyrill became separated from the group. Panic began to spread in his chest. He tried to find their trail, but the forest felt too vast and confusing. That was when he heard the sound of trickling water. In the hope of finding a water source, he followed the sound until he arrived at a small waterfall that flowed into a clear natural pool.

At the edge of the pool, a girl was squatting, washing her long, jet-blonde hair. Her skin was tanned by the sun, and her eyes were as blue as the twilight sky. She wore simple clothes made of leather and leaves, almost blending in with her surroundings.

The girl turned, surprised to see Cyrill. Their eyes met, and time seemed to stop. Cyrill froze, feeling something strange throbbing in his chest. He was captivated by the girl's natural beauty, which was very different from the princesses and nobles he had known so far.

"Who are you?" the girl asked, her voice soft but firm.

"I... I am Cyrill," Cyrill replied, nervously. "I got lost in the forest."

The girl frowned. "Cyrill? Are you Prince Cyrill of the Atlas Kingdom?"

Cyrill nodded. "Do you know me?"

"I am Darnisha Alquena," she answered briefly.

Darnisha, the name felt foreign and beautiful to Cyrill's ears. He did not know her, had never heard her name, but there was something in him that felt connected to this girl.

Darnisha then helped Cyrill find his way back to his group. During the journey, they talked, Cyrill learned about Darnisha's life in the forest, about her close relationship with nature, and about the wisdom she gained from life experiences.

Cyrill was amazed by Darnisha's intelligence and independence. The girl was not afraid of the dangers of the forest, but lived in harmony with it. She saw the world in a different way, a way that made Cyrill feel like he had only seen a small part of the truth.

Before parting, Cyrill could not help himself. "Darnisha, may I meet you again?"

Darnisha smiled faintly. "Airla Forest is always open to everyone, Prince Cyrill."

After returning to the palace, Cyrill never forgot Darnisha. Her image continued to haunt him, awakening a longing he had never felt before. He realized that his meeting with Darnisha in Airla Forest was not just an ordinary meeting. He had fallen in love with the forest girl, and he knew that his life would never be the same again. Airla Forest, which was initially only a field of courage, had now become a dream place, a place where he hoped to meet Darnisha Alquena again, the girl who had stolen his heart.

Cyrill swung his legs off his horse, the dust of travel billowing around him. He took a deep breath, inhaling the distinctive scent of the palace: a mix of lavender planted in the royal garden, sandalwood from the furniture, and a touch of incense smoke from the queen’s private shrine. After days of hunting in the wilderness, the air of the palace felt comfortable and calming.

The palace gates swung open, welcoming him home. Cheers and applause erupted as he entered the courtyard. The servants and guards lined up in order, bowing in respect. Cyrill smiled, feeling warm in his heart. The fatigue from the long journey seemed to evaporate in an instant.

At the end of the courtyard stood the Titan King, his figure towering and mighty, despite his age. Beside him, Queen Alzena, her beauty still stunning, her eyes shining with affection. Behind them, Enver, her younger brother, bounced up and down excitedly.

“Cyrill! My son!” The Titan King greeted him with a tight hug that made his bones crack lightly. “Welcome back. We’ve all missed you.”

"Welcome, my dear," Queen Alzena greeted him with a kiss on both cheeks. "You look tired, but healthy. Was your hunt successful?"

Enver couldn’t wait for his turn. “Brother Cyrill! Tell me! Tell me everything! Did you manage to catch a giant bear? Or maybe a deer with golden antlers?”

Cyrill laughed, feeling the weight lift off his shoulders. “Relax, Enver. I’ll tell you everything. But first, I need a proper bath and meal.”

After washing himself and eating a hearty meal, Cyrill sat among his family in the private banquet hall. A campfire blazed in the fireplace, warming the room and dancing on their faces.

“Well,” Cyrill began, taking a sip of his wine. “This hunt… was quite challenging.”

He began to describe his journey into the forest. How he had tracked the elk for days, crossing raging rivers and climbing steep cliffs. He told of the nights he had spent under the stars, listening to the howling of wolves and the rustling of the wind through the trees.

“On the third day,” he continued, “I finally found it. A very large stag, with branching antlers like the branches of an ancient tree. It stood by the lake, drinking quietly.”

Enver held his breath, his eyes wide. "Then what happened, Brother?"

"I nocked my arrow," Cyrill continued, his voice low. "Aimed carefully. But just as I was about to release the arrow, a large bear jumped out of the bushes!"

Queen Alzena gasped in surprise. The Titan King wore a serious expression.

"The bear was very angry, probably because I intruded on its territory. It roared and charged the deer! The deer ran away in fear, and I... I was caught in between."

Cyrill recounted how he had nimbly dodged the bear's claws, how he had used his sword to chase it away, and how he had finally managed to shoot the bear in the shoulder. The bear roared in pain and fled into the forest.

"I chased after it," Cyrill said, "but the bear was too fast. I lost track of it."

"So you didn't catch anything?" Enver asked, slightly disappointed.

Cyrill smiled. "That's not it. After the bear ran away, I went back to the river. The deer was gone, but... I found something else." with a story that didn't match the original incident.

Queen Alzena smiled. "You are indeed a great hunter, Cyrill. It's not just game you bring home, but also good fortune."

"Father, Mother," she began, her voice shaking slightly despite her best efforts to remain calm. "There is someone... someone I need to tell you about."

Cyrill took a deep breath. "Her name is Darnisha Alquena."

There was a silence.

The Titan King raised an eyebrow. "Alquena? I don't remember that name among the noble families.

Cyrill shook his head. "No, Father. I met her... while hunting in the Forest of Airla this morning."

The king's brow furrowed. Hunting practice was Cyrill's first priority, but the Forest of Airla was a dangerous place, renowned for its unpredictable magic and elusive creatures.

"And who is this Darnisha Alquena, that you should meet her in such a wild place?" Queen Alzena asked, her voice soft but laced with curiosity.

Cyril's cheeks flushed. "She... she was hunting too. She moved with the grace of shadows, Mother, and had an uncanny knowledge of the forest.

The Titan King grumbled. What is her lineage? What is her family's occupation?"

This was the part Cyrill dreaded. He did not know Darnisha's lineage. He had been so captivated by her skill and passion, he had forgotten to ask.

"I... I don't know, Father. I didn't ask."

The king’s face darkened. “You meet a woman in the forest, and you don’t ask about her family? Cyrill, you are a prince! Courtesy demands…”

“Father!” Cyrill interrupted, emboldened by his growing feelings for Darnisha. “With all due respect, I was too captivated by… her. By her knowledge of the forest, by the fire in her eyes. She moved through the trees as if she were one of them. I was too busy admiring her skill to think about her family crest and title!”

Queen Alzena placed a comforting hand on the Titan King’s arm. “Cyrill, what is it about Darnisha that has you so captivated by this Darnisha? Describe her to us.”

Cyrill’s face softened. He described Darnisha in words, describing her blonde hair that seemed to catch the sunlight filtering through the leaves, her ocean blue eyes that radiated a wild and intelligent light, her lithe body that moved with effortless grace. He spoke of her knowledge of the forest, her respectful understanding of the creatures within, and the quiet confidence that surrounded her like an aura.

As her firstborn spoke, Queen Alzena’s eyes sparkled with amusement and a hint of understanding.

The Titan King, however, remained skeptical. “You yourself describe a wild creature, Cyrill,” he said finally. “A woman who lives in the forest, is she really a suitable companion for a prince, a future king? What use is her knowledge of the forest in the royal court? What influence does her family have?”

Cyrill stood tall, his own conviction burning brightly. “I do not care about influence, Father. I care about her strength, her wisdom, her connection to the world around her. And I believe she has much to teach us all, about the forest, about ourselves, about a different way of life.” He paused, then continued, his voice ringing with newfound determination. “I want to know more about her, Father. Not her family, but Darnisha herself. I will find out who she is, where she came from, and then I will decide if she is a woman worthy of my attention.”

The Titan King and Queen Alzena exchanged glances. They saw in their son's eyes not just madness, but a spark of true passion and confidence that they had rarely witnessed before. "Very well, Cyrill," said the Titan King, his voice softening slightly. "You may pursue this... Darnisha Alquena. But be careful. This forest is full of illusions and dangers. Make sure you see it for what it is, before your heart leads you astray."

Cyrill lowered his head. "I will, Dad. I promise."

As he left the great hall, the firelight seemed to burn brighter, reflecting the hope and determination that was blooming within him.