Chapter 288 Sheena Memories — The Cursed Gold Past
Before the world came to know her as a symbol of tragedy and destruction, Sheena was merely a girl of ancient bloodline, a descendant of Elysvarre, who was said to possess the extraordinary ability to either purify or curse matter with her touch—an extraordinary gift that set her apart from others. However, this ancient blood was both a blessing and a curse. At a young age—long before great kingdoms rose and fell around the Stones—Sheena was bestowed with the Cursed Aurum Vitae, an unwanted legacy that would forever alter her life.
Often, under the moonlight, she would stand by the riverbank, listening to the teasing whispers of the wind, as if it already knew the dark fate that awaited her. "Why was I born with this curse?" she sighed inwardly, her face reflecting longing and loneliness; her heart trembled with the desire to live a normal life like other girls, rather than being the source of sorrow for those around her.
Initially, the curse seemed like a blessing. Everything she touched turned to gold.
Every rose petal in her garden became a precious gem.
Every household item she touched transformed into invaluable wealth.
Nobles, merchants, and even religious leaders came to kneel before her, enchanted by the magical aura surrounding her and her ability to turn everything into gold. They called her The Golden Princess, a title that reflected not only her high status but also the opulence of her surroundings, yet at the same time, they remained blissfully unaware of the heavy burden she carried beneath her shimmering façade.
However, they were blind to the cost of such luxury. Among them was an old king with a white beard trembling, who said, "My princess, if gold is what you offer, then keep your glory." His words were like a gentle night breeze, yet they hinted at a profound pain hidden within.
The curse grew.
Not only did everything she touched transform intentionally, but even the air she breathed, the ground she walked on, and even the water that met her skin turned into cold, lifeless precious metals. The rivers in her village became treacherous streams of molten gold, where fish floated lifelessly, and the fields transformed into expanses of sterile golden crystals—beautiful yet devoid of life. The trees ceased to breathe, as if silently expressing their silent gratitude to Sheena for her curse.
As the cries of the farmers echoed painfully in her ears, Sheena felt a piercing pain gnawing at her soul, as if something were ruthlessly tearing her heart apart. "I never asked for this," she shouted into the wind, which only responded with a chilling silence. Gazing at the barren fields that were once fertile, she whispered softly, "You are my silent witness, and I am just a hug lost in meaningless luxury, trapped in an endless curse, devoid of solace."
The farmers lamented: