The Return of the Ancient King
Once upon a time in an ancient kingdom, There was a small village named Cora which was largely forgotten by the kingdom's lords due to its remote location. The villagers were simple farmers living a quiet life in harmony with the surroundings. The most extraordinary thing about Cora was a throne situated at the square, raised on a platform made of marble and encrusted with jewels. Legend spoke of an ancient king who would return someday to claim the throne.
The villagers held a deep respect for the throne and kept it clean and maintained, awaiting the king. Every newborn was told tales of the king's return and how their lives would change for the better.
One day, a stranger arrived in Cora. He was tall and broad, with a noble bearing. He introduced himself as Rhys and claimed that he was the legendary king. The villagers were skeptical about his claim as he looked like an ordinary man. Rhys convinced them by narrating stories of the old kingdom, using terms only a true king would know, and even showed an ancient royal insignia. Captivated by his charisma, the villagers accepted him as their king.
Rhys was a kind and just ruler who reformed the village, improved its living conditions, and made it prosperous. The villagers couldn't be happier and considered themselves fortunate to have been led by Rhys.
Meanwhile, the lords of the kingdom had taken notice of Cora due to its sudden prosperity. They were puzzled and sent a messenger to investigate. When the messenger reported back about Rhys's claim of being the ancient king, the lords scoffed. But they couldn't leave this unchecked. They decided to test Rhys and sent him a letter inviting him to the royal court.
Rhys, aware of the lords' skepticism, accepted the invitation promising to return soon. He assured his villagers that he would prove his claim and bring more prosperity to Cora.
At the court, the lords questioned Rhys about the ancient kingdom, tested his knowledge of law, and asked him to perform kingly virtues. Rhys answered with grace, demonstrating both intelligence and wisdom.
Impressed but not yet convinced, the lords gave Rhys the ultimate test. The kingdom’s sage had prophesied that the ancient king would be able to access the kingdom's greatest treasure, the Starlight Sword – a beautiful, almost otherworldly weapon that was locked away in a magical stone. Its hilt was encrusted with a single star sapphire that shone only when touched by a true king.
The lords brought Rhys to the stone, demanding he draw the sword. Rhys approached it calmly and placed his hand on the hilt. And to everyone's surprise, the sapphire shone brightly, and he managed to pull the sword free. The court erupted in applause, and the lords conceded.
Rhys returned to Cora, not just as the king of the village but the entire kingdom. The prosperity of Cora spread throughout the kingdom, marking the beginning of a golden age. The people blessed their ancient king, now returned, and rejoiced in the peace and abundance his rule brought.
The legend was true. The ancient king did return to claim his throne, and his reign brought a prosperous life to all his subjects. And the people of Cora, now the heart of the kingdom, were lauded for their faith in the legend and their patience in waiting for their king. They stood as a beacon for the rest of the kingdom, a symbol of hope and proof that legends could indeed come true.