The Legend of Forester's Curse🔊

Once, in a time rather forgotten, there existed a peaceful village nestled between two perilous mountains. The mountains, known as the Giants, were ruthless and forbidding, leaving the village isolated from the rest of the world. The village was home to a community of rudimentary woodcutters who made a living farming and selling exquisite pieces of wooden crafts. Life was simple, serene, yet a solitary existence. However, the tranquility of their lives was about to be disrupted by a twist of fate, as sharp as the mountains that surrounded them. This was the time of the Forester's Curse.

The villagers worshipped the deity of the forest, known as Rigo, who was a prominent figure in their folklore. Rigo was believed to have the power to bless or curse the village according to their respect for the forest's sanctity. To maintain their harmony with the deity, the villagers religiously followed 'Fora', a custom where young villagers would be turned into warriors after they plant and nurture a tree in the forest.

In one such event of Fora, a young boy, Taren, who was known for his daring and mirthful spirit, planted his tree not at the village's outskirts as traditionally done, but deep into the forest, close to the Forbidden Territory. The Forbidden Territory of the forest was a place where no villager was allowed to tread, for it was believed to be Rigo's sacred abode. Overstepping into the area was considered an utter disrespect to Rigo, which would bring the deity's wrath upon the entire village.

Suddenly, Taren disappeared, and no one saw him for days. Village elders feared Taren had stepped into the Forbidden Territory and angered Rigo. They deliberated and decided to seek the Forester, a mysterious sage residing at the peak of the Giants, who was rumored to be the only mortal who could converse with Rigo.

After an arduous journey, they reached the Forester. The sage, after hearing their tale, descended into a state of deep trance. When he woke up after what seemed like eons, he conveyed to the elders that Rigo was indeed livid. Taren had gone into the Forbidden Territory but not to disrespect the forest deity. Instead, he was chasing a rare golden deer, a sacred incarnation of Rigo, which he planned to capture and present as an offering. Rigo viewed this act of intruding into the Forbidden Territory and chasing the golden deer as a grievous insult.

A severe punishment was thus proclaimed by Rigo: The forester’s curse. Every newborn in the village would turn into a tree at the age of eighteen unless one among them had the bravery to retrieve a precious gem, the 'Astra Jewel,' placed high up on the most treacherous peak of the mountain giant, an area where not even the bravest dared to tread. The gem was a symbol of Rigo's power and retrieving it would constitute a sincere apology to the deity by showing their respect and fear.

The news of the curse spread doom throughout the village, and fear gripped the hearts of the villagers. Many attempts to retrieve the Astra Jewel resulted in tragic deaths, intensifying despair in the village. However, their hopes were revived when Taren, who'd somehow managed to survive in the Forbidden Territory and had aged into a fearless warrior, decided to confront the curse.

He embarked on the dangerous journey, conquering the ruthless storms, treacherous terrains, and deadly creatures that he encountered. His journey, though perilous, strengthened his resilience and determination, and after many trying days and sleepless nights, he reached the peak.

He retrieved the Astra Jewel, and as soon as he held the gem aloft, a divine light enveloped the village. The curse was broken, all who had turned into trees changed back into humans, and the village was swept over by an overwhelming sense of joy and relief. The deity Rigo was content with their atonement and withdrew his wrath. Taren returned to the village, not as a reckless boy but as a formidable hero. The village thrived once more, living peacefully and harmoniously as before, with a new profound respect for their traditions and the forest's sanctity.

Their saga of courage, perseverance, and respect for nature became a legendary tale told over generations, reminding the villagers of the consequences of disrupting the balance between nature and mankind. Thus is the tale of the Forester's Curse, a story that stirred not only a tiny village nestled between the two giants but also the annals of folklore.