Thyora's Tear

     This might seem like humble beginnings for a story of legend, but it is true nonetheless. Our tale begins with a pair of very close siblings, Thyora the Island Eyrie and her older brother Ponfrie the Desert Eyrie. It's said that the amulet known as Thyora's Tear originated from their sad story of loss and sorrow.

     Thyora, being ever adventurous, was packing her backpack with food and supplies one day, bent on fulfilling Illusen's latest quest. Ponfrie walked into her room and affectionately rubbed her head.

     "Is it really necessary to fulfill 50 of Illusen's quests?" Ponfrie asked quizzically. "It's not like people will like you any more or less for having completed just 49."

     "I want that trophy," Thyora insisted, counting on her fingers whether the Juppies she had packed would last her for a week. "Besides, who are you to talk? You never try to win any contests! You're such a softie. You hate all kinds of competition!"

     Ponfrie laughed and hugged her. "That's true. Being a big brother has that kind of effect on me. Be safe, little Thyora, and good luck on your journey!"

     Thyora pushed him away, embarrassed by his affection. Ponfrie was always like that, overprotective, always telling her not to strive so hard or try so much. "He's more mother than brother, really," muttered Thyora to herself. "And it's gotten more pronounced over the years!"

     Thyora set off on her trek to Illusen's Glade, where she would receive her 50th quest. Illusen was the resident Earth Faerie of Meridell, and gave aid to Neopians in their times of need. It was a long voyage, and Thyora not only had to take a boat, but also had to hike through hills and forests to get to Illusen's Glade. Her energy was flagging, and she was almost out of breath, when she heard the following song drifting through the trees.

     Away from the troubles that plague Faerieland,

     Illusen nurtures the plants in her glade.

     She's known to give quests and excursions firsthand

     To those she deems worthy of prizes and aid.

     She follows a vow not to closely involve

     Herself in the worries and cares of the world.

     For her, the vast whole of Neopia revolves

     Round the tending of gardens and flowers unfurled.

     She'll give you a quest, give you minutes to do

     All the things she wants done for her magical spells.

     There are scores of Neopians eager to prove

     That they have what it takes to do well, to excel.

     So unlike her sister, Jhudora the Dark,

     Illusen the Earth Faerie lives to protect

     All the countless Neopians who daily embark

     On her missions to search and to find and collect.

     She's ageless and wise, she's benevolent too,

     To those who love nature and care for it well.

     She appreciates people who think and who do

     All the things she loves most --

     Without pride, without boast --

     To live in the forest, and happily dwell.

     "I'm getting close!" exclaimed Thyora. "Finally! Time to get my 50th trophy!"

     Thyora eagerly ran to the clearing where the other participants were gathered. Some were obviously new, staring at their glowing surroundings with wonder and delight. Shimmering fireflies and Faeries flew overhead in wide circles, while pink and turquoise lights floated high in the trees without any visible wires. Even the forest floor was blessed, the soil soft and clean underfoot.

     Illusen appeared at the base of her abode, a beautiful, ancient tree with limbs entwined by colorful vines. She waved her wand, summoning everyone's silence, and lifted her voice in the saddest song any of the gathered Neopets had ever heard.

     Although you've come here for my quests,

     I sense some dire wrong.

     The wind, it speaks and troubles me.

     There's anguish in its song.

     A battle rages in the west,

     And people have been slain.

     Please, leave this glade. Your loved ones fight,

     And very few remain.

     Fear filled everyone's hearts. A battle? What sort of monstrosity was this? People began grabbing their backpacks, stuffing everything back inside, getting ready to embark on the nearest ferry. Illusen watched the commotion with sadness, wishing her powers were greater, wishing she could keep all Neopets safe from harm.

     It seemed like a lifetime before Thyora finally came home. The scene that met her eyes filled her with horror. Smoke and soot, where her house should have been. Yells arose from the neighboring homes. She rushed towards her house, her heart beating rapidly, so rapidly that she thought she'd die.

     She was too late. Her brother was dead, smothered by smoke and ash. She held him close, and cried.

     "I should have been home," sobbed Thyora. "I should have been there to protect him. I'm the only one with fighting skills. My poor big brother... Ponfrie, who'd never hurt a fly. Ponfrie, I'm so sorry." She collapsed, weeping.

     A Water Faerie materialized at her side, tears in her own eyes as well. "Illusen could not prevent this disaster from happening, little Thyora. Her magic is limited to the things that occur within her glade. The other Faeries cannot interfere in mortal affairs either. But Illusen wants you to know that she feels your pain."

     Thyora was inconsolable. "That won't bring Ponfrie back," she said bitterly. "I wish I'd never gone on that stupid trek to Illusen's Glade! Curse Illusen! My proper place was at home, protecting my brother. The neighbors were always talking about those Skeith marauders, burning and pillaging towns left and right. What was I thinking?"

     "Your brother's biggest wish was for you to be happy," the Water Faerie said, stroking her hair the way Ponfrie used to. "Even though he's gone, he always wanted you to be happy."

     Thyora burst into fresh tears. Her heart bled with sorrow, remembering her sweet older brother, wanting to bring him back from the dead.

     Taking pity on Thyora, the Water Faerie brushed a single tear from Thyora's cheek and held it, suspended upside down, on the tip of her finger. As the tear began to fall, it started to glow with pale aquamarine light, shimmering and sparkling ever brighter and brighter. Then it grew hard, like a diamond, and as soon as it dropped, a golden chain materialized on it and wrapped itself around the Faerie's wrist.

     "I know this won't bring your brother back, but accept this gift." The Water Faerie draped the necklace around Thyora's neck. "It will protect any person wearing it, so that they won't suffer the same fate as your brother."

     Thyora cried, barely cognizant of the trinket around her neck. She sat on the ground, rocking back and forth, back and forth. She cried as though her heart would break.

     Months later, she was cleaning her new house when she found an old picture of herself and Ponfrie, laughing and hugging each other, celebrating her 49th Illusen's quest trophy. Ponfrie had organized the most wonderful surprise party, with a towering cake, a dozen of her closest friends, and presents stacked high from the floor to the ceiling. She wondered what it would be like to win the 50th trophy... for Ponfrie's sake.

     But Thyora was not ready. She could not yet forgive herself for not being there.

     One day she sensed a change in the weather, and she heard a song on the breeze.

     Thyora, I apologize

     For keeping you from home.

     You should have been there for his sake.

     It was not right to roam.

     I cannot live here, in my glade,

     While knowing you're in pain.

     Please come and visit my abode

     Before I plead in vain.

     I was a friend of Ponfrie, and

     We shared so many laughs.

     You didn't know this, but he did

     The whole of fifty quests!

     I've other stories all about

     Our mutual Ponfrie friend.

     Please visit me, and hear my tales.

     Your heart will start to mend!

     Thyora was ready. The healing winds uplifted her heart, and for the first time in a long time, she remembered her beloved brother with joy and warmth, not sadness and regret.

     Back at Illusen's Glade, Illusen floated towards Thyora and hugged her closely. "Yes, he fulfilled all 50 quests," Illusen said, to Thyora's wonder. "He was one of the first Neopets to ever get the top trophy. He was never really comfortable about declaring it, though. As you may well know, he wasn't the competitive sort. He had a big heart, a truly great heart, and I'm sorry that he's gone."

     Thyora nodded, her eyes filling with tears. "I think Ponfrie would have liked for me to fulfill just one more quest, to get the 50th trophy. Would you be willing to give me just one more quest?"

     Illusen tilted her head in thought, then smiled. "Thyora, would you be willing to give me that trinket you wear? That can be your 50th quest. I plan to replicate the trinket so that Neopets all over the world can be protected against the same fate as your brother's."

     Thyora perked up, enthusiastically saying, "Of course! Take it! I hope it does some good!"

     The Faeries floating in the sky, hovering near, were touched by the exchange happening below. They began to weep with joy, happy that Thyora could finally begin to heal. The tale of Thyora and her brother Ponfrie flew from Faerie to Faerie, and from Neopet to Neopet, spreading all over Neopia.

     Long after Thyora died, a very old, very feisty woman, the legend of Thyora's Tear remained. There exist only a handful of Thyora's Tears in Neopia, and each one is treasured and kept safe. People have Illusen to thank for such an indispensable Battledome item, and the legend of Thyora's Tear always fills everyone with both sadness and love.

     There once lived a girl who loved her older brother very, very much. And her love for her brother would be legendary for centuries.

     * * *

     When Thyora was weeping for the loss of her loved one a passing faerie captured a tear and formed a powerful charm. For a brief period of time, nothing may harm the wearer.

     Thus reads the description for Thyora's Tear. And a powerful necklace it is, with matchless Defense capabilities and emanating the pure glow of family love. Keep it safe, for these are rare, and not easy to come by.

The End