The curse of an immortal king

The kingdom of Valtoria had once been a land of prosperity and peace, ruled by King Alden—a man of wisdom, strength, and justice. But as centuries passed, the people of Valtoria whispered of a dark fate that had befallen their once-revered ruler. The king, untouched by time, remained seated on his throne, his face frozen in an eternal grimace of sorrow.

Legends spoke of the curse that bound him to his kingdom, a curse of immortality that turned a blessing into endless torment. It was said that a powerful sorceress, betrayed by Alden in a moment of desperation, had cast a spell upon him, ensuring that he would never taste death nor know rest. He would rule forever, watching his people fade while he remained—a silent guardian of a kingdom that would crumble around him.

For five hundred years, Alden watched his land change. He saw his children grow old and die while he remained unaged. Generations of advisors, soldiers, and citizens came and went, but he endured. At first, he fought against the curse, searching for the sorceress who had condemned him. But as time wore on, hope faded, and he accepted his fate, ruling with a heavy heart.

The kingdom, however, did not accept its undying king as he had accepted himself. Rumors spread that he was unnatural, a demon who refused to leave the throne. Uprisings formed, wars were fought, and still, Alden remained. Each rebellion ended the same way—with the king standing unscathed amidst the bodies of his would-be usurpers.

Then came the day of reckoning.

A young warrior named Kael, born into a world where Alden had always been king, sought to break the curse. He did not see the immortal monarch as a ruler but as a prisoner, bound to an unrelenting fate. Unlike those who had tried to slay him, Kael sought knowledge. He traveled far and wide, searching for ancient texts, lost spells, and whispers of forgotten magic.

One night, under a blood-red moon, Kael stood before Alden, not as an enemy, but as a liberator.

"Your Majesty," he said, kneeling before the king, "I know of your suffering. I have found a way to free you."

Alden, weary beyond words, studied the young warrior. He had heard such claims before, yet something in Kael’s voice—his unwavering determination—stirred something within the king that he thought had long died: hope.

"Speak, brave one," Alden said, his voice like the rustling of ancient parchment.

Kael unfurled an old, tattered scroll. "The curse was tied to your throne, your crown, and your rule. To break it, you must abandon them all. You must leave Valtoria and forsake the kingdom. Only then will the chains of eternity be broken."

The king’s heart wavered. For centuries, he had fought to protect his land. Could he truly abandon it now? But as he looked out over his kingdom, he saw ruins where once there had been grand cities, despair where once there had been joy. His endless rule had not saved Valtoria—it had only prolonged its suffering.

With great reluctance, Alden removed his crown and placed it on the cold stone floor. He stepped down from his throne, feeling the weight of centuries lift from his shoulders. A deep tremor shook the castle, and the torches flickered as a whisper filled the air—the voice of the sorceress who had cursed him long ago.

Your rule has ended, Alden. Your soul is free.

A sudden, aching warmth spread through his body. For the first time in centuries, Alden felt the embrace of time. His hands wrinkled, his hair silvered, and his vision blurred. He collapsed to his knees, gasping, as the years he had evaded came rushing back all at once.

Kael caught him before he fell completely. "You are free, my king."

Alden smiled—a true, heartfelt smile. He had thought he would fear death, but instead, he welcomed it. With one final breath, he whispered, "Thank you."

And with that, the immortal king was no more.

Kael stood in silence as dawn broke over the ruins of the kingdom. The curse was lifted, but Valtoria had no king now. It was up to the people to decide their future—a future no longer shackled by an eternal ruler.