The Guardian of the Jewel
Once upon a time, there was an ancient kingdom enveloped by mystical forests and surrounded by towering mountains. The kingdom, called Mysteria, held a secret that the entire realm pursued but none could unravel. This secret was linked with a magical artefact known as the Jewel of Eternity said to harbour the collective wisdom of the universe.
The Jewel of Eternity rested within the royal palace, encased in a glass cloche, guarded by both physical and magical means. Even with such security, one could not feel its warmth nor witness its ethereal glow. It was only accessible to the royal bloodline, as it was believed that the Jewel would unleash immense power if it fell into the wrong hands.
King Eldridge was currently ruling Mysteria. Wise and just, he was respected and loved by his people. However, he felt the pressure of keeping the Jewel of Eternity safe. Aware of the ramifications if the jewel was misused, he did everything in his power to safeguard it.
One day, a mysterious sorceress named Zella arrived in Mysteria. She was known in the neighbouring kingdoms for her extraordinary gifts and her insatiable hunger for power. King Eldridge's trusted advisor, Silas, informed him about Zella's past exploits.
Intrigued by tales of the Jewel, Zella made multiple attempts to infiltrate the royal palace, only to be stopped by the magical barriers. Yet, Zella was not easily deterred. She meticulously gathered information about the guards' routines and the magical shields' patterns.
Meanwhile, King Eldridge's young daughter, Princess Ariana, was oblivious to the looming threat. A feisty and adventurous soul, Ariana loved to spend her time exploring the palace grounds or burying her head in ancient lore. She had an innate curiosity - akin to Zella's - albeit a harmless one, for she sought knowledge for wisdom's sake and not for power.
Eventually, Zella managed to break into the palace after deciphering most of the magical barriers. Her approach was swift and silent, and she was soon standing in front of the Jewel of Eternity, mesmerized by its resplendent glow. However, just as she was about to lay her hands on it, Ariana walked in.
Quick to react, Ariana stood between Zella and the Jewel. At that moment, an overwhelming energy pulsed through the room. Zella and Ariana were visibly thrown off by this sudden surge. The Jewel seemed to recognize the purity in Ariana's heart, and the darkness in Zella's.
A burst of light emanated from the Jewel, pulling Zella backwards, leaving her beaten and weak. It then started to glow brighter, its light enveloping Ariana. That's when it happened. The Jewel of Eternity, recognising Ariana’s purity and courage, infused a fraction of its power in her.
Empowered, Ariana expelled Zella from the royal palace using the energy she received from the Jewel. The traumatized sorceress fled, humiliated and summarily defeated. The kingdom took a breath of relief.
The king revealed what the Jewel had done. From that day, Ariana possessed a powerful energy within her, turning her into the protector of the Jewel and the kingdom. The Jewel was safe once again, its secret resting with Ariana, who swore to wield this newfound power only for the good of Mysteria.
The kingdom of Mysteria celebrated their young princess, who proved courage and purity of heart were more potent than any sorcery. Ariana, now the Guardian of the Jewel, had given the kingdom a story of bravery and magic to pass down through the ages.