In the kingdom of Glistendell, where splendor reigned and beauty was worshipped, Prince Ascian was adored by all. His golden hair shone like the sun, and his laughter rang through the halls of the castle like music. But with such adoration came arrogance. Ascian believed he was untouchable, a perfect being destined for greatness.

One fateful evening, during a grand ball in his honor, Ascian publicly dismissed an old man who had approached him, seeking alms. Unbeknownst to him, he was a powerful and jealous wizard, bitter over his own fading appearance. Angered by Ascian’s insolence, the wizard cursed him, whispering words that echoed through the grand hall: “May your beauty fade as swiftly as your compassion, and may you learn that true worth is found within.”

As the months passed, Ascian’s reflection began to change. His once-luminous skin grew sallow, his eyes dimmed, and his charming smile twisted into a grimace. But it was not merely fading; his skin began to crack and peel, flaking away like dried leaves in autumn. By the end of the year, his face had become a grotesque mask of scars and exposed flesh, each passing day adding to the horror of his visage. The court, once enamored by him, now turned their backs in fear and disgust.

Desperate to regain his former glory, Ascian sought out the wizard. He donned a hooded cloak to hide his face, his heart heavy with the weight of his own folly. His journey led him deep into the Enchanted Woods, a realm of magic and mystery, where the wizard was said to dwell.

As Prince Ascian journeyed deeper into the Enchanted Woods, the towering trees cast long shadows, making him feel both sheltered and isolated. Exhausted from hours of walking, he found a small clearing bathed in moonlight and sank to the ground, leaning against the rough bark of an ancient oak.