Kate, her boyfriend John, her sister and Chrissy was on a camping trip in a forest, but it got ruined by a fly-der swarm that even covered their tents in cobwebs.
All our hard work is ruined!" Kate exclaimed, in sadness. "There, there, Kate. Not to worry." Her sister, Carly, said, reassuring her. "How? Our camp was so pretty, and this cave is so... not." Kate sulked. "Oh, no-no-no-no-no, no, not true. There's beauty in everything. Even these blah rocks aren't really blah. If you look closely, you can see flecks of gold in them. And the way the firelight dances on the cave wall, shadow and light? Ooh, it's so gorgeous! Sis, have I ever told you about my favorite legend?" Carly said. "No. I didn't know you had one." Kate replied. "His name... was Biffle." Carly replied.
"Biffle? Isn't he the weak fighter with the flower?" John asked.
"Yeeees, but did you know he used to be the most handsome citizen in all the land?" Carly asked.
"...no." John replied, flatly.
"So what happened to him?!" Chrissy asked.
"Well, Biffle was a very promising young fighter." Carly started.
He was as talented as he was handsome and kind. Everybody loved him and missed him when he was sent to the finest magic school.
While he was gone, he was delighted to find out that his best friend, LoafX, was crowned emperor. He couldn't wait to return home once he finished his studies.
But once he arrived, he was devastated by what he saw.
Biffle: What happened here?
Villager: The Emperor happened. He makes everybody work day and night on his palace. We don't have time to take care of anything else.
Biffle: But that can't be. I know him! He would never do this.
But there was no denying what was in front of him.
Maia: [gasps]
LoafX took everything that was beautiful away from anybody else! And Biffle was sure there had to be some explanation.
Kate: I'd assume there was, too. If somebody told me either one of you two'd gone evil...
Carly: Yeah, I'd never believe it.
John: I dunno. I've seen the way you two get when you miss breakfast.
Kate and Carly looked at John, with an annoyed look on their faces. Kate gave John the 'What did you just say?' look, making John chuckle nervously. "Just kiddin'. But I'd want answers too."
"So did Biffle. He went to confront his friend." Carly continued.
Biffle: Loaf, is that you?
LoafX: Don't tell me you don't recognize your old friend.
Biffle: I don't. My friend would never work our families and friends to the bone for something as silly as a palace.
LoafX: Silly? My palace is a beacon of beauty! Anybody who passes will be in awe of its majesty!
Biffle: What good is a pretty palace if it just hides the misery of its citizens?
LoafX: Beauty is everything. You taught me that.
Biffle: What?!
LoafX: You were always the good-looking one. You got to go to the best magic school. Everybody missed you. Everybody loved you! I admit I was jealous, so I tried to perform a spell that would make me handsome. You can see how that went!
Biffle: [gasps]
LoafX: I found if I couldn't have beauty, I would take it. I wasn't chosen to be emperor, you know. I took it! Just like I'm going to take everything else.
Biffle: I can't let you do that.
LoafX: Let me? [laughs]
[magic zaps]
LoafX: [grunts, growls]
Both of them summon magic dragons, which led them to using them as tools to fight with. LoafX was using all his might to defeat Biffle, but Biffle was calm, he didn't use his full potential, leading him to win.
Everybody thought LoafX was defeated, and that was that. But Biffle knew there was more he could do to help.
Afterward, Biffle plants a flower at the center of the village and uses his magic to restore its beauty—as well as LoafX's—while also sacrificing his own beauty.
Beauty isn't everything. But Biffle knew that it does have the power to make people smile.
He made a huge sacrifice to bring that smile back to her friends' and family's faces... including LoafX's.
LoafX: You did this for me? Even after I was so cruel?
LoafX was so touched that he vowed to be more like his friend in the ways that mattered. From then on, he ruled with kindness and compassion.
[citizens cheering]
Even though he gave away his physical beauty, he dedicated his life to spreading beauty all over the world. Any time you go out of your way to brighten somebody's day by doing something like giving them flowers, you're following in the footsteps of Biffle.
"I think he's my favorite legend too." Kate replied.
YOU ARE READING
The Shadow Play
ActionIn a world, the people are all blessed with powers or magic of their own at the age of 15. But it depends on what they have doing in life. Six friends were blessed with magic of their own, and they go to the School of Magic to learn how to control t...
