When Magic Wept
Once upon a time, in a kingdom nestled within the heart of an enchanted forest, there was an unusual child born to the regal lineage. Named Aurelian, he was mainly unusual because, though born in a land where everyone was gifted with magic, he had none.
Aurelian lived in the kingdom of Lusio, a land crafted by the ancient art of magic eons ago. Magic flowed within the veins of every creature residing in Lusio, shaping and controlling the world around them. It empowered the people to do miraculous things, from bending elements to their will, healing mortal wounds, to reading minds. However, Aurelian seemed to have slipped through Fate's fingers, and he was left untouched by this magical endowment.
As a child, Aurelian was often distressed by his lack of magical abilities, but as he stumbled into the different stages of the journey we call life, he found solace in his normalness. Free from the complexities of magic, he had time to explore and grasp the depths of knowledge. He became an inventor, often creating mechanisms to simplify life and mimic magical acts.
While the world mocked him, his parents, King Nerion and Queen Callista, stood by him, their support unyielding. Aurelian's elder brother, Prince Idris, the powerful and accomplished sorcerer, however, was consumed by jealousy. Idris, even though destined to be the heir, always felt overshadowed by his younger, magic-less brother who somehow held everyone's affection.
Years passed, and the bond between Idris and Aurelian grew sour. Tensions reached a febrile pitch on the day of Idris's coronation. In a fit of fury and jealousy, Idris, during his crowning ceremony, openly declared that he would rid Lusio of magicless beings, starting with his brother.
Aghast by the announcement, Aurelian was torn between fear and confusion. Panic buzzered within the kingdom walls. A ghastly silence enveloped the great hall, as everyone watched the scene unfold with bated breath.
However, in defence of Aurelian, his mother, Queen Callista, stepped in, declaring that magic was not what defined their lineage, but courage and righteousness did. Idris responded ruthlessly, stripping the Queen of her magic, leaving her lying on the floor, weak and frail. King Nerion, shocked by this horrific sight, suffered a heart attack and fell beside his wife.
Seeing his parents fall, normal Aurelian did what no one else could. He fought. Unable to battle his brother directly, Aurelian used his inventions, launching a surprise attack on Idris, disarming him momentarily and causing chaos amongst the court members. With his parents lying helpless on the ground, Aurelian, fighting back his tears, escorted them to safety.
As the sun set, the kingdom of Lusio, once a beacon of magic and prosperity, stood dismantled. Beckoning hope for the magicless, Aurelian gathered his allies and prepared for the greater war ahead. Idris, now a ruthless King, feared his brother more than ever, realizing that one did not need magic to be powerful.
Thus began a series of battles that shook the kingdom of Lusio, scars of which are etched in the annals of history forever. Thrown into a war he never desired, Aurelian proved that bravery, courage and intelligence are virtues that can turn the tides even in the face of magic.
In the end, Aurelian, with his courage, persistence and the power of knowledge, defeated his brother and restored peace in the kingdom. Aurelian was hailed as a hero and ascended the throne as the first non-magical king of Lusio.
His reign turned out to be a golden era for the kingdom, an era when wisdom and courage were valued over magical prowess. It taught the inhabitants of Lusio that true power resides not in the magic we possess but in how we choose to use the gifts we have been granted.
And so emerged the tale of a misunderstood prince who, absent of magical prowess, rose to be a loved and cherished king. A tale of magic, bravery, intelligence, and above all, the essence of humanity itself. A tale of when magic wept in lieu of the wisdom shown by the truest of kings.