The carriage ride stretched on longer than I had anticipated, but I welcomed the extra time to soak in the scenery. The Kingdom of Aethralis unfolded before me, a realm teeming with vibrant wildlife, rolling hills, picturesque valleys, vast expanses of farmland, and dense forests that seemed to stretch on forever. It was a breathtaking kingdom, a place that concealed its scars from a seemingly endless war that had ravaged it many years ago.

As I contemplated the second chance at life I had been granted, a sense of foreboding crept over me. What destiny awaited this kingdom that I, along with countless others, called home? What could I possibly do to alter its future? At present, I lack the influence and power to enact significant change. All I knew were the grim outcomes that loomed in our near future if I didn't act soon.

A tumultuous mix of emotions churned within me. Did I truly receive a second chance at life to reshape the future? I couldn't help but doubt it. Why had I been chosen, out of all the people, for this task? Why not someone with the authority and might to enact meaningful change? What purpose did my return as a younger version of myself serve? It couldn't merely be a whim of fate, could it? The more I pondered, the more questions arose, demanding answers.

A sigh escaped my lips as I gazed out of the carriage window, observing the slow, serene drift of clouds across the sky. They vanished behind the imposing silhouette of a grand temple that gradually came into view.

The grand temple had always been a place I approached with a sense of dread. It stood as a solitary sanctuary untouched by the ravages of the War of Unification. Its pristine white walls glistened, and its sturdy stone towers soared proudly above the lush landscape. It seemed almost as if the divine hand of the gods had chosen to protect this hallowed ground, preserving the knowledge and artifacts deep within its sacred walls. How could a place so beautiful and serene remain unscathed by the horrors of war?

I didn't truly want to know the answer to that question. As the carriage came to a halt before the temple's imposing entrance, I waited patiently, my eyes fixed on the figure standing there, High Priest Lorenzo.

"We have arrived, my lady," the driver announced, opening the carriage door.

I offered him a grateful smile. "Thank you," I said, accepting his hand as I disembarked from the carriage. With purpose, I made my way toward the steps of the temple, never taking my gaze off High Priest Lorenzo, who awaited me at the entrance.

"Lady Sophia, we have been anticipating your arrival," he greeted me.

I curtsied respectfully. "High Priest Lorenzo, I am at your service."

The elderly man returned my smile and gestured for me to follow him inside, an invitation I accepted gladly. In silence, we walked side by side into the holy sanctuary. The walls were adorned with artifacts from ages long past, and multicoloured stained glass windows allowed the sun's rays to create a breathtaking play of light on the majestic altar that dominated the enormous room.

An eerie stillness enveloped the place, broken only by the faint echoes of our footsteps as we advanced. As we drew closer to the altar, High Priest Lorenzo turned toward me and gestured for me to sit on the pew to his right.

"Thank you," I murmured.

"You're most welcome," he replied, settling beside me. "I believe you have questions."

"I do," I replied softly, searching for the right words.

"Can reincarnation be achieved through mana?" I asked, my gaze steady.

The High Priest gave me a momentary blank stare, clearly taken aback. However, a curious sensation washed over me as if he understood the essence of my inquiry. This feeling was hard to describe, especially considering that in recent days, I had questioned my sanity amidst the bizarre events that had unfolded. I sat there, nervously biting my lip, until he finally broke the silence between us.

"The true boundaries of mana remain shrouded in mystery," he began. "It ultimately depends on the wielder and their mastery of Mana."

"So, reincarnation is possible, but it hinges on the knowledge and skill of the mana wielder?"

"Indeed," he affirmed.

"Now, I have another question," I continued.

High Priest Lorenzo nodded, urging me to proceed.

"My mother once told me about a story that my great-grandmother had passed down. It spoke of a curse placed upon the children of a goddess as punishment. This is the first time I've heard of such a tale, but..."

Before I could finish my question, High Priest Lorenzo clapped his hands together, an animated smile on his face. "I am well acquainted with that story," he responded. "It is a legend that has been handed down through the generations. Allow me to share it with you."

In the ancient realm of Elendir, there existed a powerful goddess named Selene. She was revered for her wisdom, beauty, and the boundless love she held for her children, the divine beings known as the Celestial Kin. These celestial beings were bestowed with great power and grace, each entrusted with the sacred duty of preserving the universe's balance.

However, as the eons passed, the harmony within Elendir began to wane. The Celestial Kin grew reckless, indulging in their own desires and straying from their responsibilities. Observing this, Selene's heart became heavy with sorrow and dismay, for her cherished children had forsaken their sacred obligations.

In her grief and wrath, Selene, the embodiment of the moon's luminous glow, summoned her might and crafted a curse, the most dreadful one ever conceived. It was the Curse of Eternal Life, a punishment that would bind her children to an unending existence, wandering the mortal realms, enduring the sorrows and tribulations of humanity without the solace of death's release.

But Selene's curse bore a cruel twist. For every lifetime her children lived, she would be reborn into the mortal realm, stripped of her divine stature, and forced to endure the consequences of her curse. Each time, she would experience the struggles, the heartaches, and the agonizing weight of eternal life herself, keenly feeling the burden of her creation.

The curse unfolded with a resounding force, engulfing the Celestial Kin in an unbreakable bond with mortality. They were thrust into the mortal plane, their immortality an unbearable penance for their hubris. With each passing era, they grappled with the trials of mortality, experiencing the full spectrum of human suffering, their celestial origins a distant, fading memory.

As the ages drifted by, Selene was reborn again and again, condemned to witness the repercussions of her curse. She bore witness to her children's lives, now stripped of their divine glory, struggling through the cycles of birth, life, and death, haunted by the knowledge that she shared in their fate.

Selene's remorse deepened through the ages, her heart burdened by the anguish of her curse. In her quiet moments, she gazed upon the mortal realm, observing the deeds and miseries of her children, and wept tears of empathy and regret. She yearned for the day when her beloved kin would find redemption when the weight of their punishment would be lifted, and when they would once again ascend to the celestial realm, absolved of their transgressions.

I gazed intently at the elderly high priest, awestruck by his ability to recount such a vivid tale, one that had been passed down through countless generations. If he could narrate the story with such detail and conviction, there must be some truth, right?

"Is there more to this story? Did Selene or her children manage to break free from this curse?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued.

"According to the legend, Selene eventually broke free from her curse. However, her children still await their chance for liberation," he began, clearing his throat before continuing, "It is said that to aid her children in breaking the curse, Selene would grant one person the power of the moon and another the power of darkness. It was the responsibility of her children to seek out these individuals and combine their powers to shatter the curse."

"But that didn't come to pass?" I probed further.

"As one might expect, when one becomes consumed by recklessness and indulgence, they find ways to harness their powers for nefarious purposes. With each passing generation, one of Selene's children misused this power to sow evil in the mortal realm."

"Wouldn't Selene's power of the moon act as a counterforce?" I inquired.

"Not if you identify and eliminate these individuals before they awaken their power. Much like our mana, one cannot master it until they have fully awakened it. According to the legend, with every reincarnation, the Celestial Kin gained knowledge and strength until the darkness eventually eclipsed and overwhelmed the light."

"Has anyone attempted to break the curse?" I pressed on.

The old man chuckled softly. "It appears you have undergone a reincarnation, my child," he remarked.

"Something of the sort," I murmured, unsure whether he was beginning to comprehend my situation or if he believed I was gradually succumbing to madness. High Priest Lorenzo had answered each of my questions without once challenging me. It felt as though he had experienced this very conversation countless times before.

"Do I believe in this legend? Perhaps I do," the elderly man mused. "Throughout the empire, countless individuals have recited this tale as if it were incontrovertible truth. Many of my peers believe they have finally encountered the individual destined to break this curse."

"However, many who claim to have experienced 'reincarnation' have either forgotten that sensation entirely or have vanished without a trace."

"If this legend holds true, what must occur to shatter this curse?" I inquired.

"Simple," he replied with a steely gaze. "The individual destined to break the curse must eliminate the one who harnesses the powers of darkness, regardless of their identity or nature."

"I believe we've covered enough for today," High Priest Lorenzo remarked, rising from the wooden pew we had occupied. "I trust I've managed to address most of your inquiries."

"Thank you," I responded, standing up as well.

A warm orange glow permeated the room as the stained glass windows reflected the radiant hues of the sunset just beyond the temple walls. We walked silently toward the grand entrance, retracing our steps from earlier in the day. The information I had absorbed was quite overwhelming. Why was this the first time I had ever encountered such revelations?

It seemed as though my mother had been aware of what she was doing when she directed me to visit the High Priest at the temple. Neither she nor the High Priest had once questioned the sincerity of my words or the legitimacy of my thoughts. It was an unusual response. Most individuals would have dismissed my claims outright, deeming them the ramblings of a troubled mind. Yet, they hadn't.

I turned to face High Priest Lorenzo and curtsied. "Thank you for today."

"I wish you a safe journey home. Do feel free to visit anytime," he replied.

"Oh, and one more thing," I interjected, "If I am indeed the child destined to break this curse, would you believe me?"

"I would," he affirmed.

"Why?" I inquired.

"When the time is right, we shall cross paths again in the most unexpected of ways. Now, go on. It is time for you to return home," Lorenzo responded, his smile unwavering.

I curtsied once more before returning to the awaiting carriage, my gaze fixed on the magnificent temple where I had spent most of the day. In my fervour to seek answers, my stomach grumbled a reminder that I had neglected to eat. A full day spent delving into a mystical legend at the temple — who would have thought? However, during the carriage ride back home, I couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that enveloped me: "The individual destined to break the curse must eliminate the one who harnesses the powers of darkness, regardless of their identity or nature."

Was Prince Alexander the individual wielding the powers of darkness? Was I fated to be the one to shatter the curse? Did this mean I would have to be the one to end Alexander's life?

No, this couldn't be right. The High Priest himself had stated that the curse could be broken if both powers were united. But how could I achieve that if my destiny was to perish at Alexander's hand? Was killing him the only way?

A weary sigh escaped my lips. "This second life has just become significantly more challenging," I acknowledged, allowing myself to drift slowly into the comforting embrace of sleep.