THREE THOUSAND YEARS AGO

Many legends start in mundane ways; many evils, in innocuous ways.

The legend of Kopika, he who came to be known as The Tainted One, started in a rather mundane way, but his evil was not born from anything innocent.

It was born from greed.

Heir to the throne of Bliss, Kopika believed it his birthright to rule, and when he did rule, he believed it his birthright to rule eternally.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you understand anything about human nature), all men must die, even kings, so Kopika had to watch, year after year, as his body inevitably grew old and frail, despite the best efforts of his doctors and alchemists.

Naturally, since it would be too easy for everyone if the bastard had just died, the closer Kopika came to his end, the more desperate he became for a miracle cure to death.

He cast wider, dug deeper, left no stone unturned in his quest to ‘save’ himself, and, eventually (because I would not be telling you this story otherwise), he found something.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

It was a ritual. A simple ritual, with a simple cost; 77 lives. All of them within their seventh year.

Kopika paid it in a heartbeat.

On the morning after, while his people mourned their children, Kopika basked in his rejuvenated flesh.

For the first time in decades, he felt, he was happy.

It didn’t last.

Having had a taste, and knowing that his current fix was only temporary, Kopika wanted, no, he needed more. And more he found.

The following eighty years are known in the island-kingdom of Bliss as the Dark Times, and all blame for it can only be laid at the feet of one man’s avarice.

There was no magic too dark, no ritual too foul, no bargain too costly, not as long as it would give him life; give him power. Because that was what Kopika really wanted. Power.

Power over others. Over life.

And over death.

It is said that power doesn’t change people, that is simply brings out what was already there.

Well, the only thing left in Kopika even as he gained more power? Was horror.

Eventually... inevitably, the people had enough. They fought back.

Their defeat was swift and brutal.

But they were not the only enemies Kopika had. Oh no, he had made plenty; one of which was a fierce dragon mage whose egg he had stolen for some perverse ritual.

Her name was Tereema, and she was his undoing.

Kopika’s enemies came from far and wide. They fought. And they won. And while they could not kill him, everyone agreed that the motherfucker just had to go.

So Tereema paid the ultimate price.

She shaped her life into a jewel; a prison capable of sealing his power. And that was it.

The people of Bliss rebuilt. They moved on. But they never really forgot.