The Cursed Kingdom

Episode One Prologue — The Kingdom of Peace Nearly four thousand years ago, there existed a land untouched by hatred, untouched by war—a realm known as Shantirajya, the Kingdom of Peace. In this kingdom, night did not fear darkness. No torches were lit. No lamps burned. Instead, upon the rooftops of granite cottages rested rare crystalline stones known as Asaffa—mystic gems that emitted a gentle emerald glow, shimmering like thousands of fireflies breathing life into the night. The beauty of the kingdom defied imagination. By day, Shantirajya surpassed even fairy tales. Though vast in land, its population was small. Historians believe this kingdom once stood near the shores of what is now the Persian Gulf, in a region called Itnikan, later named Shantirajya—because peace itself ruled every heart. At dawn, citizens tended to the kingdom’s miraculous forests—trees of strange forms and breathtaking colors. Some served in the royal court, some traded in bustling markets, while others cultivated fertile lands. The kingdom was encircled by forests so enchanting they felt unreal. The climate was eternally mild. Only two seasons existed—winter and monsoon. At sunrise, children, youth, elders, men and women alike gathered at academies to seek knowledge from wise teachers. So absolute was the peace of this land that no argument, no quarrel, no violence had ever stained its history. Each citizen loved the other more dearly than blood kin. The Rise of King Abdus Salam Forty years before the calamity, Shantirajya was founded by a man named Abdus Salam—whose destiny itself was wrapped in mystery. Born a slave, Abdus Salam lived a life of torment. In those times, a runaway slave—if caught—was executed without trial. Driven by desperation, he fled on horseback from distant Uzbekistan, riding for days and nights without rest. The horse collapsed from exhaustion. Abdus Salam, starving and parched, continued on foot. At the edge of Itnikan, he stumbled upon a colossal tree—its leaves glowing blue and white. Beneath it lay a crystal-clear lake. As he reached for the water, his body gave in. Darkness claimed him. When he awoke, he was seated upon a wooden throne—simple, yet perfectly crafted. Royal garments adorned his body. A crown rested upon his head. Before him, the people of the land knelt in reverence. That night, through dreams, an unseen voice entrusted him with the rule of the kingdom and commanded: “Let this land be named Shantirajya—the Kingdom of Peace.” Abdus Salam accepted his fate with awe and humility. A Kingdom Beyond Reality At dusk, fireflies emerged like messengers of serenity. At dawn, unknown birds descended from their nests, their forms so radiant they seemed to have fallen from heaven itself. The rivers glowed at night—pink-lit lotus rafts floating gently upon the water. One needed only to whisper a destination, and the raft would obey. On the very day Abdus Salam awoke as king, the people united him in marriage to a noble and virtuous woman. From that day forward, the bond between king and people became unbreakable. This was Shantirajya. A kingdom too pure… to survive envy. (To be continued…)