The Weeping Willow Disease

The Weeping Willow Disease is a rare and deadly condition affecting young children who are sensitive to the Weave. It is primarily seen in children under the age of three, though exceptionally rare cases in adults have been recorded. The disease is characterized by a gradual deterioration of magical ability, severe fatigue, and the hallmark symptom of weeping blood. Over the course of several years, victims suffer from a range of debilitating physical and magical symptoms, culminating in total collapse and eventual death. Despite centuries of sparse study, the exact cause of the disease and its method of transmission remain a mystery. 
The disease is split into eight stages, each marked by worsening symptoms, beginning with fatigue and ending in the final stage known as "The Silent Bloom," where the victim passes away, often found in a peaceful pose, cradling an invisible flower.
Despite centuries of study, the exact cause and transmission method of The Weeping Willow Disease remain unknown. It is steeped in folklore, with many pointing to the tragic tale of a young girl named Lira, whose desperate wish to save her mother is said to have cursed the world with this affliction.
==== Stage 1: The Awakening ====
Subtle signs of fatigue and occasional discomfort when using magic. The child may seem more tired than usual, with occasional headaches and mild eye irritation. Parents may dismiss these as common childhood ailments, unaware of the underlying danger. No visible bleeding yet.
This stage usually lasts 2-3 months
==== Stage 2: The Subtle Weep ====
The eyes water frequently, though still with clear tears. Bruising appears around the eyes, faint but noticeable. Magic use becomes slightly unpredictable, with spells occasionally failing or producing unexpected effects. These symptoms come and go, with periods of normalcy between episodes.
This stage usually lasts 3-6 months
==== Stage 3: The Crimson Tears ====
The first signs of blood appear in the tears during periods of stress or magic use. The child begins to show signs of physical weakness, although they continue to live relatively normally between flare-ups. Magic use starts to become more unreliable. Families may seek medical or magical help at this stage, though the cause often remains unclear.
This stage usually lasts 6-12 months
==== Stage 4: The Draining ====
Blood tears become more frequent, with episodes lasting longer. The child begins to feel the effects more consistently, with greater fatigue and difficulty recovering between flare-ups. Magical abilities continue to weaken, with significant effort required to cast even simple spells. Parents and caregivers start to notice that something is seriously wrong. More experienced healers are able to diagnose the disease at this stage.
This stage usually lasts 6-8 months
==== Stage 5: The Sorrow ====
Constant bleeding from the eyes begins, and the child’s physical health declines steadily. Magical abilities are almost completely lost. The child experiences periods of deep sorrow and confusion, often speaking of nightmares or strange visions involving trees or whispers from the wind. Hallucinations become more frequent, creating a sense of disconnection from reality.
This stage usually lasts about a year
==== Stage 6: The Withering ====
The body begins to visibly deteriorate, with pronounced weight loss, pallor, and frailty. Blood tears are now constant, and the body starts to bruise and bleed with minor impacts. Magic is completely inaccessible, and attempting to use it causes extreme pain. The child enters longer periods of weakness, with frequent fainting or deep sleep. Life becomes much harder, and the family begins to face the reality of the child's condition. Some parents abandon their children at this stage, being unable to afford or cope with their child's condition.
This stage usually lasts 8-12 months
==== Stage 7: The Long Weep ====
Severe, full-body hemorrhaging begins, with blood seeping from the eyes, nose, mouth, and other orifices. The child’s body is extremely fragile, and they are bedridden most of the time. The faint whispers of the weeping tree fill their dreams, often pulling them into a near-catatonic state. Death is expected, and most magical intervention to relieve the child fails.
This stage usually lasts 1-3 months
==== Stage 8: The Silent Bloom ====
The final hours are marked by the child slipping into unconsciousness, with blood seeping gently from their eyes and mouth. The faint scent of sap and flowers begins to permeate the air around them. After death, the child is often found with their hands over their chest, as though cradling an invisible flower. Their family is left to mourn, haunted by the disease’s long and terrible course.
This stage can last anywhere from hours to days, but never more than a week.
==== The Willow’s Bloom ====
In extremely rare cases, a child afflicted by Weeping Willow Disease has been found with an actual, delicate flower upon their chest when they die, rather than the usual invisible one. This mysterious flower, often referred to as the "Willow’s Bloom," is said to possess unique magical properties. Scholars and healers speculate that it may hold a fragment of the Weave itself, somehow imbued with the child’s lost magic or their connection to the Weeping Willow curse. 
The Willow’s Bloom is highly sought after due to its potential uses in magical research. Some believe it can be used to craft potent restorative elixirs, while others claim it holds the key to understanding and perhaps reversing the disease itself. However, the flower’s magic is fleeting, often wilting within hours of being discovered, and no known method of preserving its power has been found.
Category:Diseases