The history behind the curse

~~ Flashback ~~

Many centuries ago ;

There was a dark, intimidating forest, where the sun doesn't shine, where the light doesn't reach, due to the presence of high and mighty trees.

If anyone wanted to witness the night in daytime, then it surely was the place. But the darkness was eerie, creepy and dangerous. There were many tattle tales, many legends about this place, claiming that anyone who enters this place never returns.

Never ever. Not even the soul of the person returns.

But the smart, young and brave Crown Prince Bhagirath didn't believe in any of them. He believed and concluded that it's the smart way in which the thieves create stories about the place then hide their treasures there.

He concluded that they are the descendants of the sun, the follower of the dharma and righteousness. One of the main reasons why God is helping them to live such a lavish, trouble free life. But if someone is doing something wrong, such as hiding treasure and creating a buff with horror stories.

Then, it is a horrendous crime and if they neglect it then God's wrath will be upon them, for not stopping it. Thus, they must follow the oath of righteousness, to remain in the good list of god.

Everyone including King Dravaku agreed to the Crown Prince's word. Thus, King Daravaku issued an official note, that whoever will solve the mysteries and draw light on the truth about those black meadows, will be rewarded handsomely.

Many young lad got excited and despite all the rumors and stories started finding their way in the black forest. But black forest being true to its name, no one ever returns.

Mothers of the young lads who had left came complaining to the King, with tears in their eyes. King stared at Bhagirath, who announced that he would personally go and unravel the mystery behind the black meadows.

He was about to leave alone, when Dravaku issued two legions of soldiers to follow him and bring him back safely. He took it for his father's overreaction.But, he didn't have the authority to voice his thoughts out loud.

Thus, twelve thousand men along with The Crown Prince started their journey towards the black meadow, with all the necessary stuff and ration.

~~

The Crown Prince's ride began and people cheered for him. Many blessed him, many fawned over him, many encouraged him and some even joined him in his journey of righteousness.

The moment they reach near the place from where their livelihood, the people, the life ended and leaving the creepy silence and eerie loneliness in its wake, many tremble.

'Don't worry. Don't forget nothing should be greater than our curiosity, not even our fear of death. Have faith in God, who is with us and guiding us.' Bhagirath said bringing the much needed encouragement in between them.

As expected everyone pulled their socks up and started walking with determination. Firstly they had to create the entrance, so they started bringing down the high and mighty meadows. They use the wood of the meadows to keep themselves warm, to cook their food, as a bonfire and to keep the crown prince warm.

The soldiers work in shifts and thus they were able to see the sunrise. Those, who thought they would be dead, took it as an encouragement from their god to keep on going. Thus, they keep destroying nature, bringing down the meadows, stoning the trees to get some fruit, plucking the flowers of the shrubs to enjoy its beauty.

Killing the rabbits, the deers, the birds, wild hens and everything they could find to satisfy their hunger. Turning the ever so lovely, ever so silent and peaceful forest into ruined, attacked, destroyed land.

They would use the water from the natural resources to satiate their thirst and then remove their waste there. They would pollute the clean, fresh water by bathing in it. Making it unfit for drinking again.

The whole forest was depressed by the human invasion. The animals stopped roaming around and started hiding, in order to save themselves. But for how long one can hide. They needed food and water to survive.

Thus, most of the animals went out in search of food for them and their families but never returned. Left with no choice, Lion Darcos, The King of The Black Forest, The Protector of The Black Meadows sent a help signal in all the four directions.

But as the human invasion continued further, Darcos wasn't able to keep it and decided to declare war against the enormous army of humans, which was something the animals have never done before.

Well, they were peace lovers. They weren't natural killers. Besides, killing humans was banned by the last ruler, father of Darcos.Since, he believed that humans were good but different species just like them. But now when their and their loved one's lives were in threat, they were left with no choice, but to attack.

To kill. Their home was getting destroyed. Their life was getting affected. They were left with nothing good. They had to kill the humans before they completely ruined their safe haven, this forest.

~~

Under the influence of Darcos every animal gathered for the war, after hearing their king's warcry. Their opponents were human. They were instructed to just injure them, killing was allowed only if it was the last resort.

Everyone agreed. As, they don't want to implicate their relations with humans, or break the ban applied by late king Farias, Darcos's father.

Soon, the battle started which baffled the humans, who never expected animals to actually be able to talk with them. What's more, according to these animals, they were guilty of hurting their natural habitat and killing their friends and family members.

Humans were given two options; to leave politely or to fight.

Bhagirath found it hilarious and decided to punish the imbecile animals for considering him as a criminal and telling him to run away like a loser. Thus, the war began. Humans use their brains, while animals used their

Innate strength.

Many got injured and many died in this battle. But the result was that, animals won in the end. Humans get scared and many even run away to save their lives. The remaining fought and got injured gravely.

Bhagirath was one among them. He was shocked to notice the fact that those animals weren't killing them, just giving some injuries so they wouldn't fight.

What's more, they weren't held captive or killed. They were just left in the place, untouched, unattended. But as if mother nature wanted to show the definition of humanity to humans. The injured humans were given water and food from time to time.

Since, animals can't heal the wound or do the job of a physician. So, the humans had to tend to their wounds on their own. But the animals indeed did the big favor by licking humans' wounds, to ensure that no further infection in those wounds take place.

Making humans feel ashamed of themselves. After all, if it has been any other human and they would have lost, then they would have been tortured to their death, while being held captive.

But see, not just they killed these animals' near and dear ones, not just they harmed their habitat, this forest, they even fought war with them. Yet, still they were being well taken care of.

Every single day Darcos would personally pay a visit and check on the recovering humans. Bhagirath got to know a lot from Darcos who became friends with each other. The humans realize that these animals just want a normal life, nothing much.

' Then, what is the secret of The Black Meadows?If you don't harm humans, then why do they disappear and never return. I thought there were some bandits hiding here.

I apologize for your loss.' Bhagirather apologized sincerely. Well, even when Darcos and his people have forgiven the humans. Bhagirath kept apologizing, as the guilt in his heart remained heavy, after finding out the consequences of his stupidity.

Earning a smile from Darcos.

' About the secret that we aren't allowed to tell. Every individual has to find it on its own, there's no exception to it.

About humans, they didn't disappear, they eloped. When they found the better place, then the one they were living in. They left it forever.

As for bandits, then rest assured. No man with evil intentions can enter this forest or they face some serious repercussions here. This is common knowledge.' Darcos replied.

' A place better than our kingdom!' Bhagirath and his man shouted in unison.

Darcos simply nodded.

'Where?' Bhagirath asked.

' Again, that's something I can't tell.' Darcos replied straight-forwardly earning a nod from Bhagirath.

~~

Soon, Bhagirath and his tropes healed completely and Bhagirath ordered his men to leave back to the palace. They all were shocked but Bhagirath insisted on walking alone for the rest of the journey to find the so-called secret.

He sends the message to his father and his people, that he will return back safely. Left with no other option, his men left him all alone, under his order. Bhagirath bid Darcos farewell and started looking for the path to find the so-called secret.