EP 3-" Echoes of the Curse"
The three kings stood before the sage.
Night had already claimed the forest, leaving only the cries of unseen birds to stir the silence. Not long ago, the deep growl of a tiger had rolled through the trees, and since then, the soldiers behind the kings held their ground with rigid caution, eyes fixed on the shadows, waiting for whatever might emerge.
After a long silence, a voice finally broke through. It was King Seramin.
"Father," he said softly, "we have come to seek your guidance. Please grant us permission to speak."
At his words, the sage slowly opened his eyes. As his lids lifted, it looked as though rays of light were slipping out, faint but steady, casting an otherworldly glow. His gaze fell on Seramin, then Malverin, and finally Tharion. A small, calm smile appeared on his face.
"Tonight," the sage said, his voice deep but gentle, "all three kings have come to me."
Seramin stepped forward and bowed his head.
"Yes, Father. Forgive us for coming here without warning. We had no time to send word."
Malverin and Tharion remained quiet, standing respectfully. The sage shook his head slightly, still smiling.
"It is fine. No harm in it. Tell me, what has brought you here? What matters weighs so heavily on your hearts that you seek me in the night?"
Seramin hesitated for a moment, then spoke carefully.
"Father, the truth is, I had to come. These two kings are my friends. I visited their kingdoms to see them, and for a while everything was well. But during our talk, a question arose. King Malverin of Corvallis and King Tharion of Ellora began to argue over who among their lords is the greatest. A simple question, yet it has grown into conflict.
Their friendship has always been strong. Their children even share bonds of their own. But now… this matter has caused a rift between them. I could not stand by and watch. That is why I brought them here, so that you might help them see the reason."
For the first time, Malverin moved forward, his expression hard. He stood before the sage and spoke firmly.
"Father, Seramin speaks the truth. But I cannot ignore this. Tell us, give us an answer. What is the solution?"
Tharion, unable to remain silent, stepped beside him. His voice carried both anger and hurt.
"Father, Malverin and I have been friends for many years. But when it comes to my lord, I will never accept insults or doubt. My lord is my strength, my pride. And today Malverin disrespected him. That I cannot forgive."
The sage raised his hand, his calm presence cutting through the tension.
"Enough," he said quietly. "First, you must be still."
The sage spoke first, his tone sharp but steady.
Then said, "You calm down first. I understood what you meant. I know you very well. I've heard a lot about both your kingdoms. You've been together for years as friends. Why are you getting angry over this?
I'll speak clearly, Father. This matter is not as simple as it looks.(Malverin with a calm voice.)
To me, my Lord is great, and he truly is. I cannot disrespect him. But Tharion thinks his Lord is greater than mine. My point is this, if he says his Lord is great, I have no problem. But why does he say his Lord is greater than mine?
That statement is wrong, Father.
Tharion then stepped forward and replied, "For everyone, their own Lord always feels the greatest. That is natural. So what Malverin says is not entirely wrong. He only feels his Lord is stronger. That's his point of view."
"But since he spoke to me like that at the time, I answered back and said my Lord is greater than his. That's simply how I see it, and I don't feel I was wrong in saying so."
Seramin was quietly enjoying their heated words, but the sage listened carefully. He knew very well this anger was being fed from somewhere else. Someone had planted these thoughts in their minds, which is why both were so enraged.
Finally, the sage broke his silence.
"I never expected this from you two. You both are educated, wise, and close friends. You have supported each other in times of sorrow. Your bond is stronger than blood itself. And now, because of such a small matter, you come here in front of me to fight? This is truly wrong.
Remember that it is because of your Lords' blessings that your friendship has lasted this long. It is because of them that you are today the rulers of such mighty kingdoms. And yet, you are fighting over such a petty reason."
But Malverin raised his voice again.
"Everything I have today is only because of my Lord Corvellan. Tharion has insulted him by saying his Lord is greater. I cannot tolerate this. Anyone who disrespects my Lord cannot remain my friend. From today, Tharion, I cannot consider you my companion."
Hearing this, Tharion was shocked. Anger burned in him too.
"If this is how it is, then I also cannot remain in this friendship. From today, you are no one to me!"
Seramin was secretly happy. This was exactly what he wanted. But the sage grew furious.
"You both came to me for a solution, and now you speak of breaking your friendship? If this is how you talk in my presence, then you had better leave this place right now!"
Seramin quickly tried to calm him.
"No, Father, please don't say that. They are only speaking in anger. Let me talk to them. Please, don't let them fight here in front of you."
But Malverin and Tharion did not listen. They raised their voices at each other again and again. Their behavior made the sage lose all patience. He stood up and shouted powerfully,
"Stop! Not one more word!"
Suddenly, silence fell. The jungle itself grew still. The three kings stared at the sage, their anger swallowed by his command.
The sage climbed down from the great tree's roots and said firmly,
"Your Lord is one and the same. What you call by different names has only been carried down by your ancestors as tradition. In truth, there is only one Lord ruling over this world, and it is him you should worship. And yet, here you are fighting over such a small matter. Shame on you."
But both kings refused to listen. Each still believed their own Lord was greater.
Their words clashed on and on, but Sage watched in silence, waiting to see how long this nonsense would last. At last, he rose, his voice rolling through the jungle like a thunderclap. 'Enough! I've heard more than enough of your quarrel. Did you come here for a solution, or just to quarrel. 'This is disrespectful to me. If you cannot listen here, in my presence, then you should leave at once!'
This ends now. From here on, you will listen to me and only me.'
("Sage is furious… he will not tolerate his disrespect.")
"If you truly wish to fight like this, then so be it.
From this day, I curse you both! From today onwards, there will always be conflict between you. You are now sworn enemies. Because of your anger, your friendship is broken forever. My every word will come true.
From today, your two kingdoms will remain divided. If anyone from one kingdom dares to make ties with the other, destruction will follow them. If your people try to form bonds of love or friendship, trust, or even alliances with the other side, disasters will fall on both your lands. The skies will darken, storms will rise, and your kingdoms will slowly begin to fall apart. This curse shall never end. Only if someone, one day, brings the proper offering at the proper time will the curse be lifted. Until then, generation after generation, this curse will remain."
The two kings were stunned. They had never imagined such an outcome. But it was too late the curse had already been spoken.
Seramin too was shocked, though deep inside he was pleased. This curse meant Malverin and Tharion would never again stand together. Their friendship was shattered forever, just as he had wished.
The sage turned to them one last time and declared,
"From this day, even a hundred years later, your descendants will meet, but they will never unite. And when they try, only destruction will follow. Because of your quarrel today, countless families will suffer. This curse cannot be undone."
Seramin was very happy from inside but he did not show it. At last, he stepped forward and spoke to Sage
Father, "I beg you… do not speak so. If there must be punishment, let it fall upon them alone. Do not burden their children, nor the generations to come. Please, Father, have mercy."
But Sage was not willing to listen. He returned to his seat, closed his eyes, and sat in silence.
Realizing that nothing more could be done, Malverin and Tharion exchanged a heavy glance. With silent resolve, they turned back, leading their armies away, each returning to his own kingdom.
Watching the two, Seramin too ordered his army to prepare to leave. He stepped before Sage and said, 'Father, grant us permission to depart.' Sage looked at him and replied…
"Instead of burning with jealousy of others, if you had focused on yourself and your people, you would not be here today with them. You think I do not know your heart, but I know everything. Remember my words, your end too will not be good."
Seramin said nothing. He simply bowed his head and left in silence.
And just as the sage said, every word came true. Malverin and Tharion became enemies. They never looked at each other again. Their kingdoms were forever divided.
"But what is written in destiny always finds its way. At times, fate does not stand by us, yet when it does, it pours abundantly. Such was about to happen in the absence of both kings. So let us see what unfolds next."