In the ancient land of Thessaly, where the gods walked among mortals and magic flowed through the veins of the earth, there lived a young maiden named Althea. She was the daughter of a humble shepherd, but her beauty was said to rival that of the goddesses themselves.

One day, as Althea tended to her father's flock on the verdant hillsides, she stumbled upon a wondrous sight. In a grove bathed in golden light, she discovered a magnificent serpent with scales that shimmered like molten gold. The creature spoke to her in a voice as smooth as honey, promising her untold riches and power beyond her wildest dreams.

But Althea was wise beyond her years, and she knew that such promises often came with a heavy price. She refused the serpent's offer, instead choosing to...