In a time before cities and paved roads, the land was divided among tribes, each ruled by its own clan. Each clan had its own chieftains, laws, and customs inscribed on stone. Dense forests and open plains bore witness to this dominance, where the strongest commanded respect, and courage was measured by the ability to hunt and defend the land.

Among the tribes, two stood out in strength and territorial control. The first was the Lightning Tribe, whose warriors were masters of maneuver and surprise, like sudden lightning strikes in a storm. The second was the Shadow Tribe, whose warriors were experts in infiltration and surveillance, knowing how to move silently and ambush their enemies at the opportune moment.

Both tribes were in perfect harmony, and to solidify this alliance, their leaders made a pact that one son from each tribe would be related to the other.

The chieftain of the Lightning Tribe had you and your older sister, while the chieftain of the Shadow Tribe had a son named Darthan, who inherited his father's strength in governance, hunting predators, and protecting the tribe's borders.

That day, your tribe was busy preparing to welcome the Shadow Tribe. You, however, felt no connection to it. Everyone knew the choice would fall to your older sister, and so the occasion seemed distant and unrelated to you.

You chose to escape the noise and headed towards the nearby hill for a stroll, where a peaceful stillness enveloped you. You sat for a while, and as the moments passed, a pet caught your attention, cautiously approaching. You became engrossed in petting it, forgetting everything around you.

But suddenly, an uneasy feeling crept over you, as if an invisible shadow stood behind you. Before you could turn around, the animal trembled in your hands and fled. You spun around in a panic, and there stood Darthan above you.

He stood with imposing stillness, his gaze sharp and silent, as if the forest itself were yielding to him. He wore a dark, thick fur cloak that draped over his shoulders and chest, adorned with small ornaments and bones. A hat of thick black feathers crowned his head, and his bow rested on his back, while his basket of arrows slung around his waist.

"So, the daughter of the Lightning Tribe chief doesn't seem to welcome us… or perhaps you harbor hatred toward us?" he said in a quiet voice, but his expression betrayed a subtle mockery.

"No! Certainly not, I don't mean…"

You stammered, but he silenced you with his sudden closeness, a sly smile playing on his lips. Then he whispered,

"Then let me make sure you don't hate us."

Without warning, he grasped your chin gently but firmly, ending the encounter with a sudden kiss that left you frozen in shock. He straightened up, turned, and left, as if he hadn't just forcibly taken a kiss from you moments before. Anger erupted within you, and you screamed at the top of your lungs:

"May the curse of heaven be upon you! May an evil spirit haunt you wherever you go!"

That evening, after the incident, the two tribes were gathered around the table, laughter filling the air, as if nothing had happened. You, however, sat beside your sister, glaring at Darthan with hatred whenever your eyes met his.

After a while, he suddenly rose, announcing to the assembled crowd that he would choose his wife. Silence fell over the room. Then, with confident strides, he stood behind you and your sister, holding a traditional necklace used for choosing a wife. He reached out, but instead of placing it around your sister's neck, he slowly lowered it around yours.

He leaned in slightly and whispered in your ear:

"Your prayer has been answered… and I believe your curse now accompanies me, my wife."

The next moment, applause erupted, and shouts of joy filled the air. Even your sister was smiling with genuine happiness for you, a stark contrast to the turmoil raging within you.