The Glistening Jewel of Time
Once upon a time, in a kingdom lying in the shadows of the colossal Himalayas, there was a mystical jewel known as the Alankar. The jewel, having the power to distort time, was the royal family's most possessed asset. Since time immemorial, this jewel held a prominent place in the folklore of this exquisite kingdom and has been termed ‘The Glistening Jewel of Time.’
The story starts with the loving King Rishabh, a wise ruler known for his justice and humility, and his young son, Prince Aarav, a curious, witty, and brave boy always engrossed in the mysteries of the jewel. The king, seeing his son's intense curiosity, decided to pass down the enigmatic lore associated with Alankar.
The story of Alankar is entwined with that of the kingdom's origin. Centuries ago, a celestial entity descended from the heavens, bestowing a radiant jewel upon the kingdom. This jewel had two unique powers. First, it protected the kingdom from any external aggression, and second, it granted its king, along with the power to rule justly and wisely, the mysterious power to travel through time. However, the jewel held a prophecy that it can only be used thrice by the king who unveils its complete mystique.
King Rishabh, fearing its misuse, never tried to unleash its powers, but Prince Aarav's curiosity knew no bounds. He was determined to delve into the mysteries of time, to taste the tang of yesterday and the flavor of the future.
As the young prince spent years researching ancient texts and elusive symbols, he finally discovered the technique to utilize the jewel to peer into different epochs. However, he was cognizant of the prophecy and decided only to use this power in dire necessity.
His test came sooner rather than later. The kingdom faced a prolonged drought, followed by an epidemic. Prince Aarav, bearing the burden of his people's despair, decided to use the jewel for the first time. He traveled to the future, seeking solutions. He came back with extraordinary knowledge of advanced farming and medicine techniques, which propelled the kingdom into an era of unprecedented prosperity.
The second instance of the divine jewel’s use was purely personal. King Rishabh became terminally ill. Prince Aarav, unable to witness his father's suffering, used the power of the jewel to procure a rare herb from past that was known for its miraculous healing qualities. The herb treated the king, aiding him to recover his health and vitality.
However, with this act, Aarav unintentionally created a timeline where this rare herb was overharvested in the past leading to its extinction in the present, causing major repercussions on the kingdom's ecosystem.
The king, recognizing this calamity, taught Aarav a crucial lesson about the importance of balance in nature and the consequences of meddling with time. Touched by this wisdom, Prince Aarav vowed before the King never to use the jewel unless it was absolutely necessary.
Years later, a native evil wizard named Kalayavan, lusting after the jewel, attacked the kingdom. The kingdom's protective boundary granted by the jewel was breached because Kalayavan had an insider, the trusted commander of the royal army, aiding him. The kingdom was in ruins, and despair spread among the people like wildfire.
Despite the looming danger, King Rishabh was resolute not to use the jewel. He said, 'The jewel was meant to protect us, not to wage wars.' As the king was fatally wounded in the ensuing battle, he passed on the responsibility of safeguarding the kingdom to Prince Aarav.
Filled with righteous anger, Prince Aarav straddled time again to undo the traitorous commander's birth, altering the timeline, and preventing the assault. The kingdom found its peace again, and Prince Aarav was hailed as a hero.
However, the joy was short-lived. The kingdom, untouched by darkness, experienced prosperity for many years. But the day came when the kingdom was engulfed in darkness once again. The clairvoyants predicted a massive flood that would submerge the kingdom. The flood was inevitable, yet Prince Aarav held true to his vow and refused to use the jewel's power.
Instead, he led his people to higher grounds, built fortresses, and employed all possible human measures to safeguard his kingdom. Many lost their lives, the royal palace was destroyed, but the people lived thanks to Aarav's leadership.
Thus, the people learned the importance of unity, strength and resilience in the face of disasters. The story of Alankar reflects the dual nature of power; while it holds the potential for creation and destruction, the true essence lies in understanding its limitations and responsibilities.