The Monk, The Maiden and the Moon Goddess' Tear
Once upon a time, in the coastal town of Pirenas, there lived a monk named Thadeus. Thadeus was unlike any other monk; he was known for his uncanny gifts in healing, which he credited to the mystical stone he possessed, the Lacrima Obsidianum.
The Lacrima Obsidianum, an obsidian tear-shaped stone, was passed down in Thadeus' family for generations. Legend had it that it was a tear from the Moon Goddess, imbued with divine healing energy. Thadeus was skeptical of the legends but believed in the stone’s healing powers - it always warmed up when near someone in need of healing.
The villagers cherished him, but his abilities reached the corrupt king's ears. King Moros, a man obsessed with immortality, commanded Thadeus to come to the castle with the stone. He hoped it could grant him eternal life. Thadeus, always wanting to help those in need, set off to the castle with a heavy heart.
The king greeted Thadeus warmly, but the monk could sense a hint of greed in his demeanor. Handing over the stone, Thadeus felt a chill run down his spine as the stone turned cold. He realized the stone could judge character – it only warmed up around those with pure intentions.
The king ordered Thadeus to use the stone to grant him immortality. The monk, realizing the king’s intentions, refused. In rage, King Moros threw Thadeus into the castle's dungeon. Days turned into weeks as Thadeus waited, locked away, praying for a way to protect the stone from misuse.
Meanwhile, one of the king’s servants, Lydia, heard about Thadeus’s plight. She was a kind-hearted maiden who had been saved by Thadeus's healing powers in the past. Moved by his story, she decided to help.
One night, with the courage of a lion, she stole the key to Thadeus's cell from the drunken jailor's pocket. Sneaking past dauntless guards and snoring soldiers, she reached the cell and freed Thadeus. With a grateful nod, Thadeus and Lydia embarked on their dangerous escape.
As they ran through the dimly lit corridors, the stone began to pulsate, growing warm and then hot. Thadeus felt the stone's anxiety, its desire to return to the hands of the virtuous.
They were moments away from escaping when they ran into King Moros. Furious at their insolence, he drew his sword and lunged at them. Thadeus acted instinctively, holding up the Lacrima Obsidianum as a shield. To their astonishment, a burst of bright light exploded from the stone, throwing Moros backwards and momentarily blinding everyone.
Seizing this final chance, Thadeus and Lydia fled from the castle and disappeared into the safety of the night.
Returning to Pirenas, Thadeus became even more guarded of the stone. He realized its power and responsibility. The Lacrima Obsidianum was not just a healing instrument, it was a judge of character, a protector of purity and a beacon in the darkness.
Lydia, inspired by Thadeus, joined him as a healer, vowing to protect the stone and its secrets. Through their exemplified devotion, they served the villagers, spreading goodness and teaching the values of purity, love, and kindness. And even to this day, it is said that the spirit of Thadeus and Lydia lingers in Pirenas, always helping those in need.
The tale of 'The Monk, The Maiden, and the Moon Goddess' Tear' has since become a folklore of Pirenas, reminding us that power should always be exercised with responsibility and purity of heart.