The Melody of Selene
Once upon a time, in a kingdom full of life and color, there lived a kind and devoted king named Alpheus. He was wise beyond his years and loved by the citizens for his innate sense of justice. However, his heart was consumed by sorrow for his wife had passed away leaving behind their infant daughter, Selene.
Selene was no ordinary child. Born under the rare lunar eclipse, she possessed an ethereal beauty and a voice that echoed the soothing hum of moonlit tides. Alpheus recognized his daughter's unique gift and nurtured it by engaging the best tutors from across the lands.
Years passed, Selene blossomed into a virtuous and charismatic young woman, and her celestial melodies echoed throughout the kingdom. Unfortunately, her radiance also attracted magical creatures, one of whom was Eurydice, a banshee consumed by envy of Selene's splendid voice.
Eurydice presented herself disguised as a gifted music teacher to Selene, which Selene innocently accepted. Days became weeks, and weeks stretched into months. Eurydice patiently waited for the right moment to steal Selene’s voice.
One evening, Eurydice suggested a heart-rending melody for Selene to practice. As Selene entwined her voice with the mystical notes, Eurydice cast a vile spell. And just like that, Selene's beautiful voice was stolen, leaving a silent echo in its wake.
Distraught by his daughter's condition, Alpheus called upon his trusted advisor, the wizened wizard Euphranor. After studying the enchantment, Euphranor revealed that the only cure was the Song of The Selene Flower, a mythical flower that bloomed once in a thousand years under the lunar eclipse. The caveat was, the flower withered away in mere hours, and its location could only be revealed by the Oracle of Epiphany.
Alpheus did not hesitate, he took the perilous journey to consult the Oracle. The Oracle revealed the flower was resting on Clorinde Peak, a treacherous mountain guarded by the ferocious Hyperion Dragon.
The journey was harsh, filled with obstacles and foes in disguise. Yet, Alpheus, driven by the love for his daughter, climbed bravely. A fierce battle ensued with the Hyperion Dragon, but in the end, Alpheus’s courage led him to triumph.
Breathless but not beaten, Alpheus plucked the magical Selene flower just as the moon turned a striking red. The flower hummed, filled with raw, mystical energy.
Alpheus, returned to the kingdom, where Euphranor once again performed a ritual, grounding the petals into a shimmering potion. This was presented to Selene who drank it hesitantly. As the potion coursed through Selene, the kingdom held its breath. Then Selene’s eyes flew open and, in an instant, her voice returned, yet it was more powerful than before.
Her melodious voice filled the royal hall, the waves of sound touching everyone's heart, promising hope and warmth. It was now not just a voice, but also an enchanting melody that had the power to heal.
Eurydice, who had been hiding among the crowd, grew weak at the pure, perceived sound. Her curse broke, revealing her gruesome form. Alpheus banished her from the kingdom forever, restoring peace.
From then onwards, Selene became not only a princess but also the symbol of inspiration, healing, and hope for the kingdom. Her voice was no longer just a gift; it was now a powerful legend that resonated through the realms.
The tale of Alpheus and Selene became a glorious myth passed through generations, a story of love, faith, and determination. In the heart of the kingdom, under the glowing moon, echoed Selene's voice, singing the undying tale of a father's devotion and a daughter's gift.