Call of the Unseen
In the verdant kingdom of Florin, where man and magic cohabited, nestled a quaint little village named Serenia. It was famous for its enchanting natural beauty, a calm, serene place rich with charismatic folklore and populated by affable folks. At the heart of this village lived Elias Laurin, a potter known for his artistic brilliance and devotion to his work.
Elias, a widower, lived alone in a small cottage. He was respected for his craft, and his work was highly valued. However, he had been acting irrationally since his wife’s demise; he claimed he could hear voices and see things that others couldn't. The villagers branded him 'crazy,' labelling his hallucinations as a result of solitude and distress.
But Elias firmly believed it was something spiritual transcending human comprehension. According to him, the voices belonged to an unseen entity he named 'Dia,' urging him to find a mysterious artefact. A robust bronze mirror kept hidden in the depths of the formidable Glaston Forest.
His eccentric statements had nothing but evoked derision among the villagers. They believed it was merely a myth spun by their ancestors for entertainment purposes. However, undeterred by the community's rebuffs, Elias embarked on the journey to uncover this mystical artefact.
The forest of Glaston was an uninviting realm with towering trees, underbrush, and thicket often enshrouded with an eeriness encapsulating centuries-old secrets. Elias braved the unfamiliar forest trails, guided by 'Dia's' voice. For days he roamed, armed with his undying resolve, surviving on scarce forest resources.
After a week of relentless searching under Dia's instructions, Elias arrived at the heart of the Glaston Forest. With trembling hands, he brushed aside the ivy vines on the ancient stone wall and painstakingly pulled out a beautifully crafted bronze mirror, adorned with intricate engravings reflecting the rich history and folklore of Florin.
Elias was awestruck as his reflection in the mirror morphed into the figure of his deceased wife. A wave of nostalgia overwhelmed him. It was then when Dia's voice, soothing and comforting, whispered in his ears confirming she was the spirit of his beloved. Seeking his help, Dia was trapped within the mirror by a dark spell from the powerful sorceress Lirael centuries ago, and only true love could set her free.
Inspired by love, with tear-filled eyes, Elias whispered an ancient incantation that Dia dictated. As he pronounced the final word, the forest echoed with a thunderous roar. The face of his wife in the mirror gave him a grateful smile before fading away as a brilliant light engulfed the mirror. As the roar subsided, Elias found the mirror ordinary again, empty of magic or illusion.
With the mirror tucked safely in his bag, Elias returned home. The villagers were shocked to hear about his adventure and the truth about his hallucinations. They were remorseful for their earlier behaviour and were astounded by the magnitude of love Elias held for his wife.
Elias passed away years later, leaving behind the mirror as a testament to his undying love for his wife and Dia's peace. His adventure, his love, added another dimension to the serenity of Serenia, making the small village a legendary symbol of love and braveness. The villagers treasured the artefact and shared Elias’ story with passing travellers, keeping the memory of their beloved potter alive.
And so it happened, the tale of Elias Laurin became a timeless love story from the picturesque village of Serenia. The fantastic tale of a devoted husband's love which transcended the realms of life and death, merged the audible interaction with the unseen, and a reminder of a mythical artefact bearing Florin's rich history.