The Evil Queen

Once upon a time, in a world that existed long before ours, there was a magical realm called the Kingdom of Elementia, far away from our world.

It was a place where extraordinary powers were as common as having hair on your head.

These powers came in four different types: nature, water, wind, and shadow..

The people of Elementia lived in perfect harmony, using their unique abilities for specific purposes and living happily united.

But as time passed, disagreements arose about which power was superior.

This led to the formation of groups, breaking the unity and creating numerous obstacles.

The worst part was that a devastating war broke out, causing suffering for the innocent and claiming the lives of children.

In the end, only a few individuals remained, including a king and queen who realized the grave mistake they had made.

To restore peace, an elder suggested a truce by arranging a marriage between the King of Nature and the Queen of Wind.

This decision was made because the populations of the Wind and Shadow wielders had significantly decreased after the war.

Once again, unity was born, and the kingdom flourished with joy and vitality.

People began to care for one another, just as they had done before.

After several years, the Queen gave birth to a beautiful daughter, a princess with stunning golden hair.

She was the first in the entire kingdom to possess such radiant locks.

While there had been blondes, brunettes, redheads, and those with white hair in the past, none had hair as flawless and golden as hers.

However, the princess was not only unique in her appearance but also lacked any special powers.

She was an ordinary human being, without any extraordinary abilities.

As a result, people started to look down on her, including her own parents, despite treating her as royalty.

Since the day she was born, she had faced endless torment.

However, on her sixteenth birthday, everything flipped like a coin.

As she awoke in the dead of night, she saw tall flames feeding on her curtains, swirling around her and her room ablaze.

Panicked servants rushed to extinguish the fire, and in that moment, she felt a transformation within herself.

Amidst the chaos, an elderly servant glared at her with pure malice.

"You did this!" the servant accused, she couldn't help but question if it was a prank played by the naive attention-seeking princess.

As she approached the princess to attack, instinctively, the princess shielded herself with her arms, waiting for an attack.

To her surprise, no harm came to her.

Slowly, she opened her eyes and lowered her arms, only to witness the servant who had threatened her turning to ashes.

The others, too terrified to act, knelt before her in submission.

Meanwhile, the Queen and King slumbered peacefully in their chambers until a strange clicking noise roused them.

Their gazes darted around the room, and there, beside their bed, stood a shadowy figure.

"Who's there?" The Queen inquired, her voice shaking with curiosity and fear.

In a dazzling show of power, a spark ignited from the princess's hand and lit the candle, illuminating the room.

They had never seen such extraordinary abilities before.

Though hesitant, they decided to retreat rather than embrace the unfolding changes.

The King rushed toward the door, but with a mere flick of her finger, it burst into flames.

"Father, I command you to lie down!" The princess's voice echoed through the room.

He turned around, only to discover his daughter clutching the Queen's throat.

With no other choice, the King obeyed her command.

They lay side by side on the bed, the princess positioned between them, gripping their throats

tightly.

Anger was visible on her face as tears welled up in her eyes. "All my life, I've endured nothing but your hatred, the hardships I faced because of you! All I wanted was love!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with pain and hatred.

"Look at me now, dear parents. Today, I stand above you both!" Her words hung in the air.

"We are sorry!" they pleaded for her forgiveness, but a smirk appeared on her face.

"Too late!" It was evident that a transformation had taken place within her.

The King and Queen stood frozen, mouths wide open, their faces turning a deep shade of red.

Veins began to surface, snaking across their cheeks and necks. The veins pulsed, changing from red to yellow, until flames suddenly erupted from their veins, eye sockets, and mouths.

They burned where they stood. The fire rapidly spread throughout the palace, devouring everything in its path.

The flames leaped from the palace to the surrounding trees, and then to the wooden gates of the city.

A crowd gathered around the palace, drawn by the towering inferno.

From amidst the raging flames, the princess emerged, stepping onto the front steps of the palace.

"Dear people!" She called out, tears streaming down her face. "It is with great sorrow that I announce the death of my parents. Their impatience has led to their demise." She wiped away her tears and continued.

"You all believed I was weak, but you were mistaken. The power within me was growing, waiting to be unleashed. If only you had recognized my worth, my father and mother would still be alive." She sobbed, her voice filled with grief.

The Chancellor stepped up, addressing the crowd. "The Queen has just discovered her incredible abilities, abilities that have never been witnessed before on this land.

Our lack of knowledge resulted in a tragic incident that took the lives of both the King and Queen.

I am devastated to bring you this news. The Queen and King are no more!" His words ignited a

chattering among the people, and one man summoned the courage to step forward and voice his doubts.

"How can we trust that you are telling the truth?" He yelled.

The princess turned toward the man, her eyes now a vibrant, fiery orange.

The bushes behind the man burst into flames, while the rest of the fire vanished as if it had never existed.

"I won't compel you to kneel before me," she stated, a mischievous smile dancing on her lips.

"But if you do, you will have the most powerful Queen, and a life filled with unimaginable wonders." The Queen observed as each

person knelt before her, accepting her as their ruler. No one knew what really happened behind those closed doors, but the power she displayed was undeniable.

And so her reign began.

Years later, a crazy woman stood before the palace, claiming to foresee the future and corrupting everyone's thoughts, even though Queen didn't believe in such things she still wanted to hear her prophecy just for entertainment.

"Get ready," she cautioned, her voice oozing with a bone-chilling certainty.

"A battle like no other is coming. The kingdom will be consumed by flames, and after suffering great losses, the Queen will rise again.

But be warned, her own bloodline will be her undoing. She will meet her end in the very fire she sets ablaze!" Her laughter rang out, sending shivers down everyone's spines.

But her cackles were suddenly shadowed by Queen's laughter "Oh my dear, you're stuck in the past, not the future.

Everything you foretold has already happened!" The Queen's laughter filled the air, accompanied by the amused chuckles of those around her.

"Take this load of nonsense away from my sight!" she ordered, her voice dripping with disgust.

The guards obediently escorted the crazy woman toward the gate, but just before she vanished from sight, she turned back and flashed a vicious grin at the Queen one last time.

That frightening expression haunted her throughout the night, leaving the Queen restless and uneasy.

As time passed, people began to question the Queen's eternal youth, and her thousand-year reign only fueled their suspicions of her immortality.

The common folk, troubled by this revelation, distanced themselves from her and abandoned the city.

She married, and after a few years, a devastating conflict erupted, resulting in the loss of many lives, including her husband's, and the enslavement of countless others.

Despite marrying multiple times, she continued to endure the heartbreak of losing those closest to her.

This cycle persisted until she reached her 17th marriage.

One week later, the Queen was found unconscious in her chambers.

After a check-up, it was discovered that she was expecting a child. An old fear resurfaced, and the fear of death made her restless.

But then an evil idea took hold of her mind, leading her to consider harming her own unborn child.

She tasked her maid with obtaining a poison to end the baby's life, but her scheme failed.

Fueled by her insatiable thirst for power and eternal life, the Queen gathered her most loyal followers and offered a reward for the strongest and most lethal poison.

Blinded by her desires, she failed to realize that the poison would harm both her and the baby.

Realization dawned too late, all her servants returned empty-handed and despite her efforts, nothing could harm her baby.

Months went by until the last servant arrived with a poison known as "nightshade," the deadliest of them all.

After exhausting all other options and failing, she decided to try nightshade.

A day and a night passed with no effect, but then excruciating pain gripped her.

Her limbs twisted with agony, and also she understood that the baby was arriving prematurely.

In agony, she cried out, "Get this thing out of me, now!" She demanded.

Her screams reverberated throughout the palace. Eventually, she gave birth to a beautiful princess, and the town rejoiced at the arrival of Princess Riva.

The Queen's envy only grew as the girl grew older, and the mother herself began to age twice as fast.

Wrinkles creased her face and hands, and a touch of gray appeared in her hair.

She grew weary more often, yet still retained her beauty, though it paled in comparison to her daughter. The ones who used to praise her beauty now started praising her daughter's.

When the princess reached the age of four, the chancellor overheard some villagers gossiping about a crazy woman spotted near the village.

The news eventually reached the queen, prompting her to seek out the woman.

"How can I prevent myself from aging?" she inquired.

"You mocked me!" the woman grumbled.

"I am willing to grant any wish, just tell me how to reverse this?" the queen insisted.

"Ah! Now we can converse like civilized individuals!" the mad woman offered her some tea, and they sat together in a small straw hut with a messy and foul-smelling interior.

"The secret to regaining your youth and strength lies in sacrificing your own daughter!" The woman exclaimed viciously.

"We have tried all possible methods, there is no way she can be harmed!" The Queen sighed, rubbing her temples with her fingers.

"There is a woman in your village who can control water. She wedded an outcast, an earthling! and their son, a mixed-blood, has the ability to craft a special blade.

As your daughter matures and uncovers her abilities, you must request him to sacrifice her using this blade that only he can create and wield with the metal only he can forge.

She will perish instantly. Then, you must take a drop of blood from her heart and consume it, reverting back to your former self," the woman explained, her voice brimming with certainty.

"What is it that you desire in exchange for this information?" Queen asked.

"I want her tiniest fingers from both of her hands!" The woman declared without hesitation.

"I will make sure it is done," the Queen stated firmly before leaving.

That evening, the Queen made a choice. If she was fated to raise her daughter until she reached sixteen, she would do so with love and tenderness.

Promising not to become like her own mother so when the time comes, her daughter won't be able to deny her.

However, over time, the Queen's heart softened toward her daughter.

She grew to love her deeply and realized that she should sacrifice herself instead, allowing her daughter to take the throne.

Eventually, the Queen fell ill, and upon her demise, her daughter gained access to her private chambers. There, she stumbled upon an unexpected discovery - a hidden compartment beneath the carpet, containing a letter filled with confessions and the shocking truth revealed by the deranged woman.

Riva, as she grew older, surpassed her mother in wickedness.

She displayed cruelty towards the poor and showed favoritism towards the wealthy. Whenever her husband dared to ask for a child, she would not hesitate to end their life. She kept a watchful eye on those of mixed-born, paying their families to breed and breed only sons, as she would provide them with special training to become tough and skilled in the art of blacksmithing and sword fighting.

Her malevolence was evident in her treatment of her firstborn. She heartlessly sacrificed the child and brought her fingers to the deranged woman.

The crazy lady devoured the fingers raw, a disgusting act that even made the Queen sick.

However, she witnessed a miraculous change as the crazy lady regained her youth, beauty, and sanity.

This happened three times before Riva became a mother once again, giving birth to another girl.

Princess Marina, the newest member of the family, had a beauty that enchanted the whole town.

She, too, was raised with love and care, just like her older sisters.

Unaware of her mother's evil plan, Princess Marina prepared for her special day.

A skilled maid gently combed through her beautiful golden locks, each strand as smooth and wavy as a flowing waterfall.

With great care, a stunning tiara was placed on her head, enhancing her already stunning beauty.

Her long, curled lashes cast graceful shadows on her captivating hazel eyes, captivating anyone who dared to look into them.

Her gaze fell upon the magnificent engraved window, and she longed for a taste of freedom.

In a sudden act of rebellion, Marina broke free from her loyal servants and opened the window wide.

A refreshing breeze swept through the room, causing her hair to dance in the wind. The maid, visibly annoyed, expressed her disapproval of the princess's impulsive actions.

"Princess! I just finished styling your hair!" she exclaimed, clearly irritated.

Uninterested in the world, Marina gently grabbed the maid's shoulder and directed her attention to a flock of birds, one of which had separated from the group. "Can you see that bird, Bathilda?" she asked, her voice sweet and polite.

"The flock moves in perfect harmony, but that one bird is free to fly as it pleases.

I long to be like that bird, for a life of order is dreadfully boring!" Her lips, as pink as the most delicate rose, round yet not too thick, spoke her words with elegance and grace.

The maid, touched by Marina's beautiful imagination, closed the window and guided her back to the seat in front of the ornate mirror. "My sweet Marina, as enchanting as your desires may be, remember that you are not a bird," she gently reminded her, firmly but lovingly. With a tender kiss upon her forehead, the maid continued, "This lilac hue complements your radiance beautifully."

Marina's face lit up with a radiant smile as she twirled in her beautiful gown, showcasing its beautiful design. Laughter filled the room as she playfully got lost in her own joy.

"Do not forget to conduct yourself with grace, my dear. Who knows, you may encounter someone special today," the maid teased, raising an eyebrow mischievously.

Blushing at the thought, Marina bid farewell to the room and made her way to the grand hall. Accompanied by her servants escorting her, she entered a room bustling with people. A giant dining table stood at the center of the room.

As she gracefully descended the grand staircase, her eyes swept across the great hall filled with a triumphant crowd. The vibrant atmosphere only served to boost her already overflowing happiness.

Amidst the laughter and cheerfulness, her gaze came to a halt on a young man spreading an air of charm and seriousness. He stood out among the sea of foolish overjoyed people, captivating her attention effortlessly.

It was only a matter of time before their eyes met, and in that moment, she found herself captivated by his presence. His jet-black hair cascaded effortlessly over his forehead, framing his eyes that held a deep, mysterious sorrow.

Dressed in engraved black metal armor, expressing both death and pain, yet his allure left her in a state of awe, unable to tear her gaze away.

Her cheeks flushed as his unwavering stare met hers, and a smile graced her lips when a soft whisper reached her ear, "You look absolutely stunning, my lady!" A maid approached her, and she returned the gesture with a grateful smile.

"Thank you," she replied, gracefully stepping down from the staircase. As she turned her head to catch another glimpse of the enigmatic man, she discovered that he had vanished into thin air.

Her eyes scanned the room in search of him, but he had disappeared without a trace.

Nevertheless, the day continued to unfold in a joyous manner, filled with lavish gifts, melodious songs, delicious variety of food, and all things delightful. At the grand table, Queen Riva raised her glass in a toast and delivered a heartfelt speech.

"As you all know, I have endured the most unfortunate and cursed fate as a mother. I have witnessed the untimely demise of three of my daughters, their lives extinguished as they attempted to harness their powers for the first time," she confessed, wiping away her tears.

"But with Marina, I sense something different. I believe she will emerge as the strongest of them all. I cannot wait to witness her command her powers. My darling, I am so proud of you!" Queen Riva blew a flying kiss toward Marina, who wiped away her own tears and smiled, overwhelmed with gratitude.

"Before the setting of the sun, we shall commence the sacred ritual, and in that moment, my beloved daughter shall bring us great honor!" The Queen proclaimed, her words echoing through the grand hall. The applause erupted, a symphony of admiration for their respected ruler.

As time passed, a man, completely messed up and intoxicated, stumbled toward Marina. "Once, I fought alongside your mother," he mumbled, his words laced with a sense of awe. "She has an endless fascination with the idea of victory!" The man's breath, tainted with alcohol, rudely invaded Marina's personal space, throwing himself at her.

Marina pulled back in disgust, holding a delicate finger under her nose to block out the unpleasant smell. Quickly, she dodged the drunken man's presence. However, her attention was soon captivated by her mother, who stealthily made her way toward a concealed corridor.

Curiosity ignited within Marina, compelling her to follow in her mother's stealthy footsteps. "Why does she behave like a thief within the walls of her own palace?" Marina thought, her curiosity at its peak. With utmost caution, she followed her mother, trying to remain unseen.