Mystic Tales: Crimson Mage (Ongoing)

1: Aria

Aria Corleone had always dreamed of becoming a superstar. With her long, wavy dark-blonde hair, fair skin, and fawn-colored eyes that gleamed with brilliant white pupils, she possessed both beauty and a talent that captivated everyone around her. Her passion for music was undeniable—even as a young child.

At just five years old, Aria's dream took shape. Her unique gift, Music Wave Magic, allowed her to grasp musical concepts effortlessly. It wasn't long before she mastered every instrument she touched, her magic guiding her through melodies and rhythms with natural ease.

By the time she turned thirteen, Aria's dream of stardom burned brighter than ever. She began performing at local events and parties, dazzling crowds with her unmatched musical talent. Her rise did not go unnoticed. Not long after, she was scouted by The Magistry Records (TMR)—a prestigious musical agency that sought mages with talents rooted in music and theater. TMR nurtured these performers, helping them harness their magic for beautiful and mesmerizing shows.

Aria's hard work soon paid off. As her name began to spread, so did her fame. But fame came with challenges. Other musicians and performers grew resentful, seeing her rapid success as an unfair climb to stardom. Whispers and jealous glances followed her, weighing heavily on her heart. Yet, Aria pushed forward, driven by the passion that first set her dream into motion.

By the age of sixteen, Aria Corleone was a household name—a superstar known across the entire continent of New Magistry. Fan clubs dedicated to her sprang up on every island, and the once-little girl with big dreams now stood on the grandest stages. It seemed like everything she had ever wished for was coming true.

However, the path to stardom was not the only journey she undertook. At seventeen, Aria was recruited into the Ylhaya Protocol, a private organization that specialized in training individuals to become secret agents. This experience honed her combat skills and taught her how to use her Music Wave Magic not just for performances, but also for self-defense. After completing her contract with Ylhaya, she returned to her music career, thinking her days as a secret agent were behind her.

Her triumphant return led her to Dark Island, where she planned to host one of her biggest concerts yet. But fate had other plans.

The concert was interrupted by a terrifying, sinister entity known as The Epidemic—a colossal being with the power to manipulate bacteria, infecting people and heightening their violent urges. The attack on the concert was nothing more than a distraction. Hidden behind the chaos was Adrian Lynch, a man whose very existence was tied to the darkest part of Aria's lineage.

Adrian Lynch was the brother of Aria's ancestor, Allan Lynch, from more than 500 years ago. Allan Lynch's bloodline had been cursed by the Crimson Witch of Chaos, a curse that embedded Crimson Chaos Magic deep within their veins. This magic was dangerous, luring its wielders toward corruption and madness. But Allan had discovered a way to contain it—the Silver Seal Magic, a spell that suppressed the curse and was passed down to his descendants. However, the Silver Seal was not invincible. It could be broken by tampering, or under the right conditions, it could shatter on its own.

In the past, Adrian had caused the Silver Seal of one of Allan's children to break. As punishment, Allan imprisoned his brother in a crystal and buried it deep underground, hoping to end his brother's dangerous ambitions. But after 500 years, the crystal broke—and Adrian Lynch returned, thirsting for revenge. This time, he sought to absorb the Crimson Chaos Magic from Allan's descendants, starting with Aria Corleone.

Adrian successfully located Aria during the concert, and in his attempt to steal her magic, the Silver Seal on her blood shattered. For the first time, the Crimson Chaos Magic within Aria was unleashed. But unlike those before her, Aria's mind remained untouched by the madness. Instead, she used the power to her advantage, fighting back and driving Adrian away before he could fully succeed.

The battle, however, came at a cost. The use of Crimson Chaos Magic drained Aria of all her energy, causing her to collapse. When she finally regained consciousness, she found herself back in her hometown on Water Island, surrounded by healers attempting to restore the Silver Seal on her blood. But no matter how hard they tried, the seal would not take. The Crimson Chaos Magic within her was too powerful to be contained again.

Days later, Aria awoke to find herself on an isolated island, with her brother, Armon Corleone, sitting by her side.

Armon (softly): "Aria... There's something we need to talk about."

He explained to her that the seal was no longer effective. If Aria wished to protect the people she cared about, she would have to abandon her music career. The risk of her magic activating uncontrollably was too great, and without the Silver Seal, there was no way to fully suppress it.

Aria listened in silence, her heart sinking as she realized the weight of her brother's words. She would have to leave behind the dream she had chased since she was five—the dream she had fought so hard to achieve. But now, her priority was learning to control her magic, so that she would never harm anyone unintentionally.

Armon (gently): "For now, you'll stay with me. I'll help you learn how to manage the magic and keep it from activating."

Aria gazed out at the endless ocean surrounding the island, her mind heavy with the realization that her life would never be the same. But despite the sorrow, she knew she had to move forward.

Her journey as a superstar might have come to an unexpected end, but a new chapter—one filled with uncertainty and challenge—was just beginning.