Long ago, in the sunlit land of Veritas, the skies sparkled with golden light, and the stars sang songs at night. But as years passed, the kingdom began to dim. The sky turned gray, and the stars fell silent. No one knew why.
The people whispered of an ancient treasure - a magical flame called the Lantern of Truth - once kept deep inside the Caves of Echo. It was said that the lantern shone only when held by someone with a completely honest heart. But no one had seen it in a hundred years.
Prince Leo, the youngest of King Aldric's three sons, watched from his tower as the world outside grew darker each day. Crops were dying. Children cried in the night. People no longer trusted each other.
One evening, Leo walked into the royal hall. His brothers were arguing over who should be the next king, each boasting of their strength and wisdom. But Leo had other thoughts.
He stepped forward and said, "Father, let me go in search of the Lantern of Truth."
The room fell silent. The king's eyes widened.
"You?" said Prince Cedric, the eldest. "You're just a boy."
"You lie about sneaking treats from the kitchen," added Prince Hugo. "How will you pass the trials of the Lantern?"
Leo's cheeks turned red, but he didn't back down. "I have lied before. I won't lie again."
King Aldric studied him quietly. "The cave tests not strength or cleverness," he said. "It tests the heart. Go, Leo. But know this - only those brave enough to face their own truth will return."
That night, with a satchel of food, a silver compass, and nothing but his courage, Prince Leo rode out toward the Caves of Echo. He didn't know what he would face - but he knew why he was going.
He wasn't going to bring back light.
He was going to bring back honesty.