Airla Forest

Airla, a vast emerald forest on the border of the Kingdom of Atlas, was the lifeblood of its people. Its waters were clear, its soil was fertile, and its animals were tame. The people of Airla were known to be healthy and strong, living in harmony with nature, far from the intrigue and hustle and bustle of the kingdom. But that peace was now under threat.

A strange plague had struck Airla. It began with a mild fever, followed by a painful cough, and then skin that dried and scales like dead tree bark. The elders of Airla, the guardians of the forest’s wisdom, called it the “Curse of the Falling Leaves.” They believed the curse was the result of a violation of the balance of nature, a sin that had yet to be revealed.

The Titan King of the kingdom of Atlas, heard of the plague, feeling obligated to help. The people of Airla were part of his kingdom, though they prefered to live in seclusion in the forest. The king sent his best healers, but the kingdom’s medicines were powerless against the strange curse. The healers could only watch in horror as the disease continued to spread.

Then a little girl named Darnisha Alquena was born, a brown-skinned girl who contrasted with her blue eyes as bright as the morning sky and her long, wavy blonde hair, born amidst suffering. The Airla Forest, which was once fertile and prosperous, was now gripped by a deadly plague. The disease took her father's life just as she first opened her eyes. Baby Darnisha, who inherited the rare beauty of both her parents, grew up in the shadow of sadness and uncertainty.

Her mother, a steadfast and loving woman, tried her best to protect Darnisha. However, the need to survive forced her mother to remarry a man named Alaric. Alaric was a kind man with a soft heart, but his pale skin and different eyes felt strange in the midst of the Airla forest filled with brown-skinned people.

Time passed, and Darnisha grew into a beautiful young woman. At the age of 20, her mother gave birth to another daughter, Mckenzie Alana Margarita. The little girl was a replica of Alaric, with warm brown eyes, long, straight, thick brown hair, and radiant white skin.

Darnisha felt her heart squeeze when she saw Mckenzie. She loved her sister with all her heart, but Mckenzie's birth seemed to confirm the changed that had occurred in the Airla forest. The colors that were once dominant, warm browns and bold blue eyes, now seemed to fade, replaced by paler, softer colors.

However, Darnisha's sadness was not only because of the change in color. More than that, she felt the pain of seeing the Airla forest increasingly miserable. She grew up hearing stories of a curse that haunted their forest. It was said that an angry witch cursed Airla for a mistake made by the Atlas kingdom, a wealthy and prosperous neighboring kingdom. The curse brought plague, poverty, and deep sadness.

Every day, Darnisha saw her friends and neighbors suffer. Crops failed, livestock died, and disease continued to claim lives. She watched her mother work tirelessly, Alaric tried to support his family by gardening, and Mckenzie grew up in the shadow of suffering.

The sadness and despair then turned into a burning determination. Darnisha stared at the Airla forest with her sparkling blue eyes. She swore, in her deepest heart, that she would find a way to break the curse. She would not let the Airla forest, her homeland, continue to suffer.

Night after night, Darnisha spent her time studying ancient books found in the attic of her house. She read legends, myths, and the history of the Atlas kingdom. She looked for clues, loopholes, or a way out of the curse that haunted the Airla forest.

She asked the village elders, listening to their stories carefully. She explored the Airla forest, looking for the dwelling of the witch named Serena who might have the power to restore the original state.

Darnisha knew that her mission was not just for herself, not just for her family, but for the entire Airla forest. She carried hope on her shoulders, hope that radiated from her clear blue eyes and determination that burnt in her heart. She would do whatever it took, take whatever path, to free the Airla forest from the grip of the curse. A long and perilous journey awaited her, and Darnisha was ready for it. To her, nothing was more important than restoring the glory of the Airla forest, her homeland, and protecting her sister, Mckenzie, from the shadow of suffering.

Darnisha, out of breath, stood in front of a rickety hut that was almost submerged in moss and vines. Days of traveling through the wilderness had finally brought her to this place, the home of the legendary witch Serena. Before she could knock, the door to the hut swung open by itself, revealing a dark and stuffy interior filled with bottles of strangely colored liquids, stacks of old books, and various dried plants hanging from the ceiling.

A high-pitched giggle broke the silence. Darnisha jumped in surprise and turned around. Behind her stood a woman with matted gray hair and eyes that burned like embers. It was Serena.

“Why are you here?” Serena asked, her voice hoarse and sharp.

Darnisha met Serena’s gaze boldly. “You are a powerful witch, and you were also the one who cursed Airla Forest. It was not the fault of the people of Airla Forest. Why didn’t you just curse the Atlas Royal Family instead?”

Serena paused for a moment, her expression turning angry. "The Atlas Kingdom should feel the curse too!" She hissed. "But I haven't seen the same retribution as I had,"

Darnisha frowned. "Retribution? What do you mean?"

Serena stepped closer, her gaze piercing Darnisha. "They took everything from me. My family, my happiness, even my future. The curse of Airla Forest is just the beginning. I want them to suffer the same, if not more!"

"But the people of Airla Forest are innocent," Darnisha tried to defend. "They are merely victims of your anger,"

"Victims?" Serena laughed sarcastically. "Everyone is a pawn in this game, including you. Don't think you are better than them? You came here seeking help, didn't you?"

Darnisha fell silent. She had come to beg Serena to lift the curse from Airla Forest, where her home and family were in danger. But hearing Serena's reasoning and seeing the hatred burning in her eyes, she doubted that her request would be granted.

“I… I just want my family to be safe,” Darnisha said, her voice shaking.

Serena looked at Darnisha with an appraising gaze. “Safe? No one can be safe from the curse I have cast. But there may be a way to ease your suffering. On one condition,"

Darnisha swallowed. “What condition?”

“Help me take revenge on the Kingdom of Atlas,” Serena replied, her eyes gleaming with joy. “Be my right hand. Bring destruction and chaos to their gates. If you succeed, I will consider lifting some of the curse from Airla Forest.”

Darnisha was stunned. She had come to save her family, but now she was faced with a terrible choice. Help a vengeful witch and destroy the kingdom, or let her family suffer under a terrible curse.

A cold wind blew ominously and brushed Darnisha’s face. The ancient trees stood as silent witnesses to her conversation with the witch Serena, the ruler of the cursed forest.

Darnisha frowned. The chance to serve Serena, even at a high price, might be her only way out.

"What kind of accomplice?" Darnisha asked, her voice hoarse with humidity and a deep desire to be free.

Serena stepped closer, shadows dancing across her face, hiding part of her sly smile. "Well, you must make Prince Cyrill Marvin fall in love with you. Can you do it?"

Darnisha was shocked. "Prince Cyrill Marvin? Heir to the throne of Atlas, the symbol of goodness and justice, the beloved son of the Titan king of the Atlas kingdom that Serena hates?" She muttered under her breath. "But why me?" She paused, trying to hide her doubt. "Why did you choose me for this task?"

Serena laughed lightly, her voice cold as cracking ice. "You have a natural beauty, Darnisha. A raw, enchanting beauty that would make a prince fall in love. More importantly, you have a look in your eyes; the look of someone who has lost everything. That look will make Cyrill think you need saving. He will fall right into your trap,"

Darnisha pondered Serena's words. She knew that her life in Airla Forest had left its mark on her.

"I will," Darnisha said finally, her voice firm. "But I demand a guarantee. You must promise to lift the curse of Airla Forest as soon as I succeed in making Prince Cyrill fall in love with me,"

Serena snorted. "You bargain with me? Very bold. But fine. As long as you don't disappoint me. If you succeed, I would free a small part of this forest from the curse. But remember, only a small part. Your ultimate goal is the destruction of the Atlas Kingdom, not the salvation of Airla Forest."

The deal was made. Darnisha left Serena’s forest hut, guided by the spell she had been given.

The sun was slowly dimming, coloring the sky with orange and purple hues as Darnisha left Serena’s hut. The witch’s words still rang in her mind, a burden that felt both light and heavy. “Make Prince Cyrill fall in love with you,” was the task Serena had given her, the reward for her happiness.

Darnisha’s steps took her to Silverstream Falls, a place she often visited to calm herself. The cool steam greeted her, coating her skin with a refreshing layer of moisture. Without hesitation, she untied her hair, letting her long blonde hair fall freely and dipping it into the waterfall. A cold sensation spread across her scalp, instantly calming the anxiety that had been lingering in her mind.

She was enjoying the freshness of the water when she heard the sound of horse hooves approaching. Darnisha turned, her heart beating fast. In the dim light of dusk, she saw a man riding a dashing black horse. The man looked tall and sturdy, with a strong jaw and sharp eyes. He was wearing a dark green hunting outfit, with the royal family crest engraved on his chest.

"Prince Cyrill," He muttered to himself.

The horse stopped a few steps away from him. The prince dismounted with graceful movements, his gaze fixed on Darnisha, his expression a mixture of surprise and interest. Darnisha's blonde hair was wet and stuck to her cheeks, her skin was reddish from the cold. She looked like an angel bathing in a waterfall.

"Forgive me for disturbing your peace," said Prince Cyrill, his voice heavy and deep. "I got lost while hunting and heard the sound of trickling water. Who are you and what are you doing here?"

Darnisha quickly calmed herself down. This was the moment. She had to use all her charm to attract the Prince's attention. She returned his gaze with a sweet smile.

"Nice to meet you, Prince Cyrill. My name is Darnisha," She replied, her voice soft like a whisper of the wind. "I was just enjoying the beauty of nature around here,"

Prince Cyrill smiled faintly. "Darnisha. What a beautiful name,"

Darnisha’s heart beat faster. Atlas, the kingdom ruled by the Titan King, Prince Cyrill’s father. She had to be careful. One mistake, and her plan could fall apart.

Serena’s words echoed in her mind. “Make Prince Cyrill fall in love,"

Darnisha held her breath. She didn’t know how to make a prince fall in love with her. She was just an ordinary girl, suddenly entangled in a game bigger than herself. But she knew she had to try. She had to succeed. Her freedom, and perhaps her happiness, depended on it.