Teg was in excruciating pain as she gave birth, but she didn’t mind. She knew she could restrain herself from crying, yet she was more concerned that her newborn might cry. The consequences of a crying baby in this world were dire.
The peril her child would face upon entering this world with tears weighed heavily on Teg’s mind. Her baby’s safety was now her foremost priority as she fought to bring her child into this harsh realm. She beseeched the gods to spare her baby from shedding any tears.
Teg and her husband Rie resided in the land of SOMEWHERE, a place where crying was outlawed. Tears were forbidden, for anyone who wept in this realm summoned a deadly creature that slew its victim in a grisly manner. This curse had befallen the kingdom, and tears were lethal—when they touched the ground, the malevolent beast arrived to claim its prey.
To avoid this doom, the people of SOMEWHERE had mastered the art of suppressing their tears. Regardless of joy or sorrow, no one dared to weep regardless of the joy or sorrow they felt. For two decades, they existed in this state, with numerous denizens of the realm losing their beloved to the malevolent creature. Those who remained never envisioned defying this wicked decree.
The malicious beast would claim even infants who wailed from the moment of birth. Aware of this horrifying reality, Teg and her spouse harbored fear, beseeching their deity Lu to protect their unborn child from harm’s grasp.
Conversely, Rie was resolute in not losing his wife and unborn child. To ensure their safety, he undertook an unconventional approach. While his wife received aid from two midwives, he positioned himself just beyond the door, skillfully producing soothing melodies. He believed that if his unborn child could hear these harmonies, they might be deterred from shedding tears. Astonishingly, his plan proved effective. When Lila came into the world, rather than crying, she graced it with an enchanting smile.
Lost in the music’s embrace, Rie was startled when the midwife approached, holding his radiant baby girl who continued to smile. He had never encountered such a radiant expression. “She smiles much like her mother,” he whispered to himself. With an outstretched arm, Rie accepted his child from the midwife’s gentle hands. Entranced by his baby’s captivating eyes, he christened her Lila, a name signifying “my smile.”
Rie remained cradling his baby as the second midwife approached to deliver the heartbreaking news. “Rie, we’ve lost your wife,” the midwife solemnly informed him. In that moment, Rie’s world shattered before his eyes, his foundations crumbling into pieces.
The midwives departed without further words, retreating to their own families while holding back their tears. Lila, now 18, was tending to the small garden that had once belonged to her mother when the atmosphere abruptly shifted. Villagers scattered in all directions, fully aware of the impending horror. The queen had been violated, signaling the imminent arrival of the malevolent beast seeking its prey.
Amidst the turmoil, Lila dropped her pruning fork and hurried towards the path the beast was likely to approach from. She witnessed the creature attacking its victim, Dre, with chilling ferocity. Rie rushed out of the house, witnessing his daughter’s perilous path toward the danger unfolding before her.
He seized Lila and forcibly guided her back inside, away from the menacing threat. Ian, a neighbor watching the scene unfold from his window, closed it as the tension escalated.
“What possessed you, Lila? Have you lost your mind?” Rie questioned, receiving no response from his daughter as she left for her room. He sighed under his breath, bewildered by her actions.
The following day brought news of Dre’s demise at the hands of the deadly beast. The brutality of his death weighed heavily on Lila’s mind. Dre had been more than a friend; he had been her confidant, teaching her the art of fishing and embodying goodness. His senseless demise left Lila grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. How could he have been taken away simply for shedding tears over his twin sister’s prolonged illness?
Ian joined Lila, settling beside her on the stairs leading to their home. “I can see that anger is consuming you,” he remarked, his words jolting her out of her thoughts and into awareness of his presence.
Lila had known Ian her entire life, as he lived next door. An orphan who had lost both parents to the very same malevolent beast when he was just six years old, Ian grew up fending for himself. Lila’s father had stepped in as a father figure, providing the support he sorely lacked. However, the pain of his parents’ loss clung to Ian like a well-worn cloak.
“Dre was my friend, a genuinely good man,” Lila muttered, Ian knew his feelings about the queen shaded with disdain. He often found himself yearning for the power to overthrow the queen and vanquish the evil beast that she commanded. Unfortunately, the queen’s defenses were formidable, bolstered by dark magic that kept anyone from reaching her. Ian’s desire for retribution burned fiercely.
“We have the capacity to confront the queen and defeat her beast,” Ian said, his voice barely audible as he glanced at Lila, only to shift his gaze away. Before Lila could respond, her father emerged from the house, wiping his hands on an old kitchen napkin.
“Dinner’s ready. Ian, care to join us? There’s a seat at the table for you,” Mr. Rie offered.
“Thank you, Mr. Rie, but I already ate,” Ian replied. “Hmmm, Lila, let’s go in and have dinner before it gets cold,” Mr. Rie prompted. Ian excused himself, leaving for his own home, and Lila followed her father inside. As they entered, the melodies Mr. Rie had been playing ceased, the old flute finding its place on the dining table. The meal was consumed in silence.
That night, Lila lay awake, her thoughts swirling around Ian’s words. She contemplated her options when a sudden thud and groaning echoed from outside the door, slicing through the quiet of the night.
Lila sprang out of bed and swung open her door, only to find her father clutching his chest in agony. She rushed to his side, panic gripping her voice. “Father, what’s happening to you?” His attempt to respond faltered as he collapsed, and Lila knelt beside him. “Father, what’s going on?” she implored desperately. But her father’s words were left unfinished, his life slipping away before he could explain.
For the first time, Lila’s tears flowed freely, the weight of her loss unbearable. As her cries filled the air, a shift in the atmosphere outside signaled the arrival of the dreaded beast.
Unconcerned about the consequences, Lila continued to weep, her grief-stricken sobs resonating. Unexpectedly, Ian burst into the house, rescuing her from the impending danger. He swiftly pulled her away from her father’s side just moments before the beast lunged, engaging in a fierce battle to protect her. Together, they managed to escape the clutches of the monster.
The beast unleashed a furious roar before departing, leaving a wake of destruction that inadvertently ignited a fire that consumed the house.
Queen Sia, standing by the palace window, sensed that something was amiss. Her loyal beast arrived, climbing the palace walls and bellowing in anger. Startled, she recoiled in fear, but the beast leapt away, causing damage to the weaker roofs.
Once the beast had departed, Queen Sia retreated to her inner chamber, where her magic mirror resided. Peering into it, she witnessed the scene unfold, discovering that Lila had eluded her malevolent creation. No one had ever managed to escape the clutches of her beast, and Queen Sia felt a surge of anxiety. She feared that this incident would embolden the kingdom to rise against her rule, a fate she was determined to prevent at all costs.
The Queen swiftly summoned her guards and issued a severe command: locate Lila and Ian, apprehend them, and deliver them to her for swift execution.
Without delay, the Queen’s guards set out in pursuit of Lila and Ian. Amid the forest, the two fugitives spotted a cave. “Over there, let’s take refuge in the cave,” Ian suggested. Darting into the shadows, they found themselves in the embrace of darkness. Ian ignited a makeshift torch, providing them with a dim light to navigate their surroundings.
Abruptly, powerful arms seized them from behind, hoisting them off the ground. Lila struggled fiercely, her voice piercing the air as she cried out, “Let go of me!” Their captors released them, causing Lila and Ian to tumble to the ground. Before them stood Clia, the mastermind behind their capture. She ordered the guards who had brought them to remove their masks, revealing their faces. Clia’s smile bore an air of understanding as she addressed Lila, “Lila,” her voice imbued with warmth.
Defiantly, Lila retorted in her anger, “Release us, or I swear I’ll end you! My father is dead!”
Clia acknowledged this fact with a serene nod. “I am aware,” she responded, her smile still in place. Lila accused her, “I need to see my father!” To which Clia’s response was a simple, “But he is dead.”
Seating herself on a rock, Clia prepared to elucidate their situation. “My name is Clia, the arch enemy to the Queen. She disclosed.
“Why have you brought us here?” Ian interjected, his skepticism evident. Clia settled on the rock before speaking, her voice measured. “Lila, you are the chosen one.” The declaration hung in the air, shrouded in mystery.
Lila questioned Clia’s assertion, “Chosen for what?” Ian’s discontent emerged as well, “I should be the one to bring down the Queen. Lila is too weak for the task.”
Clia’s smile held an air of assurance as she spoke, revealing Ian’s significant role in the unfolding prophecy. A parchment was handed to Ian, bearing the prophecy that he was destined to fulfill. However, all Ian wanted badly was the revenge of his parents at all cost, regardless of the prophecy.
“I don’t have time for your meaningless prophecies. I just want to get back to my father,” Lila exclaimed, her desperation palpable. She couldn’t accept the reality of her father’s demise. Clia’s response held a harsh truth, “I’m sorry, but your father is gone. If you step out of this cave, the beast and the Queen will find and kill you.”
“I don’t care if I die! I need to save my father!” Lila proclaimed, attempting to leave the cave. One of Clia’s men initially blocked her path, but Clia signaled for him to step aside, allowing Lila to pass. Ian tried to reason with Lila, attempting to deter her from rushing into danger. He grabbed her to prevent her from leaving, but she responded with a forceful kick and escaped. Ian pursued her, shouting for her to stop, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.
In the forest, Lila found herself surrounded by the Queen’s soldiers. Panic surged through her as they closed in. However, Clia descended from a tree, her demeanor fierce and determined. The atmosphere crackled with tension as Clia’s eyes emanated a readiness to combat. The soldiers charged at Clia, but she skillfully wielded her martial prowess and magic to defeat them one by one. The soldiers proved to be no match for her combined strength, leaving Ian and Lila in awe as they watched from a safe distance.
Clia’s men eventually secured Ian and Lila, their grips firm as Lila struggled against their hold. The Queen’s soldiers retreated to the palace, carrying news of their failure to capture Clia and her companions. The Queen’s anger swelled at the thwarted plan.
Back in the cave, Ian and Lila were provided with sustenance, which they consumed in silence. Exhaustion finally took over, and they drifted into sleep. As they slept, Clia silently watched over them, her presence a vigilant protector in their time of vulnerability.
The faint sounds of Clia practicing martial arts outside the cave stirred Ian from his sleep, prompting him to investigate. Clia was aware of his presence and addressed him with a determined tone. “You need to learn how to harness your anger, channeling it into strength. According to the prophecy, your duty is to safeguard Lila. She possesses a unique smile that holds the power to break the curse. Your mother was the sister to the Queen. You, on the other hand, are destined to vanquish the beast.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a black raven, a messenger from the Queen, perched on a nearby tree branch, listening intently before taking flight.
“Never I killed my sister myself!” Queen Sia exclaimed angrily after receiving the raven’s report. I saw her die! ‘The prophesy! Lila must not live!
Ian’s determination remained unshaken. “Teach me how to fight, I’m ready. I’ve been ready since birth,” he declared.
In response, Clia tossed a stick at Ian, who caught it. The two engaged in a practice fight, Ian charging at Clia with his stick, but his attempts to land a blow proved futile.
Later, Clia sat by a nearby stream in solitude. Unbeknownst to her, Lila stealthily approached. Swift as lightning, Clia spun around, her sword aimed at Lila’s throat, ready for any unexpected threat.
“Don’t sneak up on me,” Clia protested softly. “Tell me about my mother. Why did my father never knew she was a Princess?”
Clia began to explain, “Your mother and I were best friends… Her eldest sister Queen Sia attempted to kill her but she was saved by her magic. Unfortunately your mother had to renounce it in order to change her appearance, allowing her to escape her sister’s threat. ”But what about the throne? Lila asked in confusion. ”The throne was rightfully your mother’s. Your grandparents loved her due to her kindness, and in this realm, the younger child inherits the throne. Sia resented your mother for being chosen over her.”
“How did my mother have magic?” “All royals possess magic in their bloodline.” Clia clarified. “You’re royal?” Lila questioned.
Clia affirmed, “Just like you. My father was the king’s elder brother.”
As Clia prepared to leave, Lila spoke up again, “Why is the beast killing people over their tears?”
Clia glanced back before continuing on her way.
Outside the cave, Ian practiced shirtless. Lila joined him, posing a question, “Do you believe you can defeat the beast?”
“I’ll try,” Ian responded.
Frustration evident, Lila suggested running away. In a moment of vulnerability, she confessed, “I’m scared, Ian.”
Ian cupped Lila’s face gently and reassured her, “I won’t let anything happen to you. I swear to protect you with all my heart.” He sealed his promise with a tender kiss, as thunder rumbled and rain began to fall. Clia watched them from the cave entrance, sheltered from the rain.
Later that night, Clia woke Ian and gestured for him to follow. Outside the cave, she presented him with a sword, Uia. Clia revealed its unique attributes – forged from the power of water and heart, wielded safely only by those descended from their bloodline. She shared the truth about his father’s death, clarifying that he had fallen to the Queen, not the beast.
Intrigued, Ian drew the sword from its sheath, admiring it in the moonlight. Unexpectedly, he lunged at Clia, and a fierce battle ensued. Ian’s fighting skills had clearly improved. Clia remarked on his progress, but Ian urged her to continue without further words, focusing on their intense combat.
As dawn broke, Ian was nowhere to be found in the cave. Clia roused Lial from her slumber and urgently spoke, “Your friend is gone. Come with us now!”
Startled, Lila inquired, “Gone where?”
“We’re going to defeat the Queen and her beast,” Clia declared. “He’s no match for the Queen, so we must act quickly before it’s too late.”
Lila agreed to follow, her curiosity evident. “How do I defeat the Queen with my smile?” she asked, halting Clia in her tracks.
“That’s a part of the prophecy I can’t explain,” Clia admitted and resumed their journey.
Meanwhile, Ian stood before Queen Sia, positioned at the entrance of the palace.
“You killed my father!” Ian’s accusation hung in the air as two dead soldiers lay nearby, his gaze unwavering.
Queen Sia rose from her throne and approached Ian. “And who might you be?”
“Ian! You killed my parents!” Ian’s voice was resolute, his determination unyielding.
The Queen’s attention shifted to the sword Ian wielded, recognition dawning in her eyes. “Uia!”
“Do you think that sword will be enough to kill me?” Queen Sia challenged.
Ian’s response was direct. “Let’s find out!” With unrelenting resolve, he launched an attack. However, the Queen exerted her power, casting Ian aside with a wave of her hand. He fell hard onto the floor but swiftly rose, his stubbornness undeterred. He charged at her again, met by a wall of formidable magical flames conjured by the Queen to halt his advance.
Yet, in an unexpected turn of events, Clia leaped above Ian, her sword breaking the magical barrier as she landed before the Queen. Her blade bore evidence of battle, stained with blood.
“See who came for the party!” The Queen’s voice carried an air of mockery, ”good to see you again Sia” Clia smiled.
“I knew you were behind this,” the Queen accused.
“Ian, what’s wrong with you? Do you want to get yourself killed?” Lila’s voice rang out from behind, her fear evident as she hovered near the palace entrance.
Sia agreed with Lila’s sentiment, “She’s right, Ian. You should have stayed back or escaped from this kingdom when you initially evaded my beast.”
“But I chose to stay and fight!” Ian’s determination remained unshaken.
“Then be my guest!” the Queen taunted.
Just then, the Queen’s beast appeared on the scene, summoned by her command.
“Sia, you brought this monster into existence by taking your own parents’ lives,” Clia accused.
The Queen’s response was bitter. “Because they never loved me. They only cared about my little sister’s happiness, never considering my own.”
With a sinister smile, she approached her beast. “And when I finally succeeded in killing them, as my tears touched the ground, this beast was born. I gained power and the throne for myself.”
She caressed the creature beside her.
”Clia let’s escape,” Lila suggested in fear.
“None of you will leave this place alive. Don’t you understand?” The Queen remarked.
A tense silence hung in the air before the Queen whispered to her beast, “They are all yours.”
The beast lunged forward, initiating a battle against Clia, her allies, and Ian. The combined forces struggled to match the beast’s strength.
Lila watched, paralyzed by fear, her attempts to help proving futile. The Queen joined the fight alongside her beast, seizing Ian by the throat and beginning to drain his life force.
Just before the Queen could extinguish Ian’s life, Lila cried out, “Stop!”
The Queen hesitated, challenged by Lila’s plea. “And if I don’t?”
Desperation laced Lila’s voice as she implored, “Don’t kill him, please.”
“Lila don’t just beg. You need to do more than that,” Clia advised urgently.
“What can I do?” Lial asked, her voice trembling.
“I don’t know. Try to smile instead of begging,” Clia suggested.
Queen Sia released Ian, her curiosity piqued by their conversation.
“Clia, what is happening here?” the Queen demanded an explanation.
“Lila is your sister’s daughter,” Clia disclosed.
“My sister?” The Queen’s disbelief was evident.
“I killed my sister. But her magic saved her,” Clia affirmed. “She relinquished her magic to alter her appearance, ensuring you never realized she was alive.”
“You all are surely going to join my sister!” ”Then bring it on.” Clia answered! As the battle resumed. This time, the Queen directed her fury towards Clia, launching a fierce attack.
As the struggle between Clia and the Queen unfolded, Lila’s tears flowed freely, dampening the ground beneath her. Unexpectedly, the beast that Ian and Clia’s allies had been battling shifted its focus, turning to advance upon Lila.
Then, a miraculous sight appeared: Lila’s father materialized, holding his old flute. The same melody he had played when Lial was born emanated from the instrument. The enchanting notes reached Lila’s ears, prompting an involuntary smile to grace her lips. As the magical tune spread, Ian’s sword began to radiate an otherworldly glow. Empowered, Ian rose to his feet, seized his sword, and pursued the advancing beast.
With swift precision, Ian struck the beast from behind, driving his sword through its heart. The creature shattered into fragments, dissipating into the air. Without a moment’s hesitation, Ian flung his sword towards the Queen, piercing her heart and ending her.
As Lila’s father ceased playing the flute, Lila’s smile faded, and she collapsed against Ian, weakened by the drain of her magical power.
Ian lifted Lila into his arms, and together with Clia and the rest of their companions, they departed the palace. The victory over the Wicked Queen marked the liberation of the land of SOMEWHERE from her malevolent grasp.
Under Lila’s benevolent rule, the kingdom embraced a new era of joy. The longstanding prohibition on crying, whether in sorrow or happiness, was finally lifted, allowing the people to express their emotions freely.
And thus, the epic tale concluded, leaving behind a legacy of courage, resilience, and the triumph of goodness over darkness in the land of SOMEWHERE.
Story by the author: School Friends
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