Arika: The legend of the lost jewel

chapter 5

“Once again, we apologize for the delay,” he said. “But we will now resume the proceedings.”
The auction continued without further interruptions, but the air in the room had shifted. While the people continued to bid, sipping their wine and enjoying the spectacle, the queen’s unease grew. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, that the brief interruption had been more than just a simple issue behind the scenes.
The king, meanwhile, dismissed the incident entirely, focusing instead on the remaining items up for bid. His mind wandered back to the stone he sought, the artifact that would secure the future of Eris. He barely noticed the human lives being bought and sold, as if they were no different from the art and jewels that had passed through the auction earlier.
But the queen noticed. She always noticed.
As the final item of the night was brought onto the stage—a delicate tapestry woven with golden threads—the queen’s mind drifted back to the whispered conversation between the auctioneer and the man backstage. What had been said? What could have caused that brief flicker of fear in the auctioneer’s eyes?
She glanced at the king, who remained as composed and powerful as ever, his gaze fixed on the auction. He had built this world, this life of luxury and control, and he intended to keep it that way.
As dawn painted the horizon with hues of gold and pink, Eva and her elder brother Kyle sat perched on the edge of the mountain, watching the serene sea stretch endlessly before them. The view, though familiar, always felt like a fresh discovery, something magical in its stillness. Eva, curious, turned to Kyle with a question that had been lingering in her mind.
“Don’t you have something to tell me?” she asked, her eyes twinkling with anticipation.
Kyle gave her a knowing smile. “Ah, so you haven’t forgotten.” He paused, searching for the right words. “Where do I even begin?”
Eva sat eagerly, leaning toward him as he gathered his thoughts. “Well,” Kyle started, “this tale is ancient—so old that many believe it’s just a myth. But it has something to do with why we, as a people, can’t cross the sea.”

Eva’s interest was piqued even more. “A myth that explains why we can’t go beyond the sea?” she repeated, her eyes fixed on him.
Kyle nodded. “Yes. A long time ago, there was a goddess midora. She was renowned for her beauty, and it’s said that the sea we’re gazing at right now is made from her tears.”
Eva’s brow furrowed slightly in confusion. “Why was she crying?”
Kyle smiled, continuing, “Well,  midora bore what was known as the Jewel of Life. It was a necklace that she never removed, for it was her life force. This necklace was the source of great power—wealth, health, prosperity—everything good that flowed to those who worshipped her. And from that devotion, a religion called Elyndorism was born. People believed in her, prayed to her, and in return, their wishes were granted.”
Eva’s face lit up with wonder. “I would have loved to meet her. Maybe she could have stopped the Radians from ruining our lives.”
Kyle nodded thoughtfully. “Perhaps she could have. Midora’s power was said to be limitless. But her downfall came from betrayal. One of her most devoted worshipers, a gifted young woman with the ability to communicate directly with the goddess, turned against her.
Eva leaned in closer, captivated. “Who was she? And why did she betray Midora?”
“Jealousy,” Kyle answered, his voice heavy. “The woman envied Midora’s beauty and power. She was tempted by a man named Duncan, a ruthless and greedy figure who desired Florian’s necklace for himself. He manipulated the woman into revealing Midora’s hiding place. That place was called Arika, a hidden land where Midora’had fled to escape those who sought her powers.”
“So, what happened in Arika?” Eva asked, her heart pounding in her chest.
Kyle shifted his gaze from the sea to his sister, his tone growing sombre. “When Florian was finally captured, Duncan stole her necklace. Without it, Florian lost her life force, and Arika—along with all the magic it held—collapsed. Duncan managed to escape, but the necklace’s stone disappeared. Some say it still exists, hidden somewhere, waiting to be found. But without the stone, the wall that once protected our world and Midora's powers began to weaken. And that’s why we can’t cross the sea—the barrier that keeps us here is fragile, and we don’t know what lies beyond.”
Eva was quiet, processing the weight of the story. “Do you think… do you think the stone could still be out there somewhere?”

Kyle shrugged. “Maybe. But even if it is, finding it is no small task.”
Just as Eva was about to respond, their sister Crystal appeared, breaking the moment of quiet reflection. “You two can’t seem to be apart for long,” she teased, approaching them with a smile.
Eva and Kyle turned to face her. “Oh, I guess we just enjoy each other’s company,” Kyle replied with a playful smirk.
Crystal rolled her eyes, her hands resting on her hips. “That much is clear. What were you talking about?”
“Oh, nothing much,” Eva said, shrugging. “Just a legend.”
“Which one?” Crystal inquired, intrigued.
Before Eva could answer, Kyle jumped in. “Is dinner ready?” he asked, clearly wanting to change the subject.
Crystal shook her head in amusement. “Yes, it is. Let’s head back before it gets cold.”
The three of them stood up, brushing off the dirt from their clothes. As they made their way down the mountain, the sun dipped lower into the horizon, casting a warm glow over the sea. But in the back of Eva’s mind, the tale of Florian, Arika, and the missing stone lingered like a haunting melody. Could there really be truth to the forgotten legend?