The Three-Headed Beast
Edric, the Prince with Special Gifts
Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, lived a young prince named Edric. He had a gift, with which he could see spirits, fairies, and other magical creatures that others could not. He could even talk to animals.
Sometimes, the king and queen would see him talking to himself, which worried them very much. The king was extraordinarily worried, for his son was a good fighter, but he didn't like to fight as much as the king did.
— Edric, what do you say to coming to train with the soldiers? It could be fun. — No, Father. You know I don't like those things. — Oh! — Ha ha ha!
The King's Disappearance
One day, the king decided to train his soldiers on the western hills. So they set off for the hills and soon arrived there. The king watched them carefully as they trained. Suddenly, from behind a tree, the king saw the head of a beast.
— Oh, what is that? — Your Highness! I'm going into the forest!
Before the commander could answer, the king ran deep into the forest, among the trees, trying to find the strange creature. Suddenly, he found himself face to face with the terrifying three-headed beast.
— I have conquered many kingdoms. It will be easy for me to defeat you too. — No! My King!
The commander gathered his soldiers and ran into the forest. They searched for the king everywhere, but could not find him. When they returned to the palace, the queen's heart broke at the news, and the prince was shocked.
The kingdom fell into despair, and to save it, the decision was made to make Edric the new king.
Edric's Search and Encounter with the Beast
But with the days, Edric began to ask himself questions.
— How can it be that no one knows anything about my father's disappearance? I must find out. — Commander, I would like to go to the western hills. — What? Why? — To find out what happened to my father. Let's take some soldiers to be safe.
So, to everyone's surprise, Edric was seen leading the army towards the western hills. Soon, they arrived there and set up camp. Edric searched all day, wondering if he might spot something, but by nightfall, he was disappointed.
— Hmm, I guess I have to search today too. Huh?
Then, he saw the beast's head. It disappeared, and Edric, like his father, ran after it. As he ran, he got lost.
— Where did it disappear to? — Oh dear, another victim! — If only we could help him, but he can't hear us. — I can hear you very well. — Oh, how?
The Fairies' Help
Edric told them about his special gift, which amused the fairies.
— What are you saying? How can you help me? The fairies told Edric that the beast was actually a powerful spirit and that if he wanted to defeat it, he needed their help. — Here! Take this bottle. It can be used to trap the spirit, but you must wait until it transforms and is no longer a beast.
Edric thanked the fairies and went to find the beast. Soon he found it, and it was waiting for him. It attacked him, but Edric was agile and easily dodged.
— Ah! The spirit could not use its powers in the beast's body, so it changed back into a spirit. — I've escaped. Do you think you can defeat me? I'll show you!
Taking his chance, Edric took the bottle and threw it at the spirit.
— No! No! The spirit remained trapped in the magic bottle. — Let me out! — Tell me where my father is or you will remain trapped in the bottle forever.
But the spirit refused to speak, so Edric took the bottle back to the palace, where he kept it in his room. One day, a maid entered Edric's room when he wasn't there. The spirit used this chance to create chaos.
— Good woman! — Huh? Who's there? — Your kingdom has been cursed! Your king mysteriously disappeared! Your new king, who wasn't interested in war, suddenly marched to the hills with a huge army! He has been possessed! Still don't believe me? Your kingdom has been cursed! He he he!
The maid was terrified by the invisible voice and fled the room. Soon, rumors spread and the entire kingdom began to doubt the new king. Edric hadn't noticed anything, but the queen saw the strange looks.
— If he really is cursed! — Maybe we need a new king. — Oh dear! Edric isn't safe here!
The queen pretended to be ill and called her son.
— Mother, what happened? — Son, it seems I have a strange illness. I want you to go to the northern forests. I've heard there are spirits there who grow magical herbs. Only you can see spirits, can't you?
The Tigress and the Story of Princess Rosabel
Edric was sad to leave his mother, but he listened to her and went into the forest. Soon, he arrived in the forest, where he began to search for the spirits. As he did so, he heard a loud scream.
— Oh! It hurts so much!
Edric went to see who it was and saw a huge tigress with an injured paw.
— Oh, more problems. — I'm not causing problems. I came because I heard you screaming. — You, you can understand me?
Edric introduced himself to the tigress while checking her wound.
— It looks very painful. Can I help you? She nodded suspiciously, so Edric carefully treated and bandaged her paw. — Thank you, Edric. You seem like a good person. Tell me, where, where did you get that scar? — Oh, that?
Edric told the tigress about his father and the spirit he had met. Suddenly the tigress rejoiced.
— It's him! He's the spirit I'm looking for! You see, I, I belong to Princess Rosabel from the Ruby kingdom. The spirit came out of an old, forbidden book that we opened.
The tigress explained that only the princess could put the spirit back in the book and that before she could do that, he locked her in a magic tower.
— So I've been trying to find him for a long time. We must get him.
Saving the Princess and the King
So the prince rode on the tigress's back to his kingdom. He snuck in and quietly took the bottle with the spirit. Then he left the palace. The tigress took Edric to the magic tower, where the princess was held.
— Princess! — Stay calm, we will save her.
They opened the huge door and entered a room full of flames.
— Oh! We can't get through here! — No, no! I have an idea! Water spirits, help us!
As soon as he said that, three powerful water spirits appeared. They extinguished the fire with their power, and soon Edric and the tigress passed through the room and opened another door.
— Oh, no!
The two entered a room with a deep pit. There were hungry lions, ready to devour anyone who fell into it.
— Spirit of the wind, I ask for your help!
And immediately a wonderful spirit came and carried Edric and the tigress over the dangerous pit.
— Finally safe. I hope the princess is on the other side.
He opened the third door and there, to their delight, was the beautiful Princess Rosabel.
— Princess! — Tiggy! — Oh, is that what you're called? — Hmm, only my princess can call me that. — Tiggy, who is this man?
— He is King Edric and he brought the spirit! The tigress told Rosabel everything. Rosabel was overjoyed. — Fantastic! Then, let's get out of here and return to my kingdom!
And the three went to Rosabel's palace, where she found the magic book in which the spirit was trapped. Edric took him out of the magic bottle.
— Where am I? Oh, no! — Oh, you naughty spirit! I, the princess of the Ruby kingdom, command you to return to your book and remain trapped in it forever! — No!
Rosabel closed the book and thus broke the curse on Edric's father, who suddenly appeared before them.
— Father! — Edric! Oh, Edric! The spirit locked me in a dark place.
Reunion and Truth
The princess and the tigress smiled at each other. Soon, the king and Edric returned to their kingdom. The queen cried with joy when she saw her husband. Edric apologized for leaving her when she was so ill.
— Oh, I was never ill! I was afraid the kingdom was dangerous for you and I sent you away for a while.
Everyone was shocked by the king's return.
— His Majesty has returned! And his son Edric! What does this mean? Soon, the king reassured his people. He explained everything that had happened. — Do not doubt my son, for he saved my life and the life of the princess from the Ruby kingdom.
The people rejoiced at the good news, and in the end, the entire kingdom lived happily. Edric and Rosabel became good friends and always played with Tiggy.
— Hey! I said only the princess can call me that! — Sorry!
Courage and loyalty can overcome even the most powerful curses, and the truth will always come to light, bringing peace and happiness.
