picture generated by @wakeupkitty host of this contest
In a moonlit night in the small town of Eldoria. In a time when magic still flourished bountifully. Nestled in-between two huge mountains, on the cobblestone street was ‘The Enigma Bookstore’. From its creaky doors and opened windows were warm golden lights that emanated from within and pierced hard into the cobblestone street.
The wooden doors of the bookstore creaked as James, a young wizard apprentice pushed open and walked in. The floorboard squeaking under his shoes. The air inside reeked of old paper and ink with rows of bookshelves that threatened to reach the ceiling.
"James!," Eleanor, the bookstore’s owner, an old woman with silver hair and kind eyes in her late eighties called out. “This is a bookstore, how dare you barge in like that?”
“I'm sorry Mrs Eleanor. But it's an emergency” James said with so much seriousness and urgency in his voice.
"What could that emergency be at this odd hour?"
"My master, Master Merlin, sent me. He said to bring the Book of Shadows." James said, looking around nervously, his breath coming in gasp, then whispered,
“Huh! The book of shadows”Eleanor’s eyes widened slightly in shock as she placed her hands over her mouth. Making sure not to say it out loud “that's a powerful magic book young man. Used only when the evil dragon awakens from the spell cast on it years ago by our father's”.
James nodded, “Master thinks the dragon is awake” he whispered.
"How am I to trust you young man?” Mrs Eleanor asked, hands placed on her waist.
But before James could answer, a deep rumble echoed outside. A slight earthquake sent the bookshelves rattling. Immediately James and Eleanor ran outside to see what's happening. And just as Master Merlin had predicted there was a massive, mystical dragon, its scales glistening under the moonlight, in the town square.
"Oh no," Eleanor mumbled. " The evil dragon has returned."
By now, there were screams in the street. People in dark cloaks running for their dear lives in the misty streets, some shouting spells and some calling on loved ones.
James turned to Eleanor, his voice trembling, "The book of shadows now!? I must get it to my master"
“By the time you must have gotten back to his coven which is miles away, and returned with him, we all must have been dead by then” Eleanor replied.
“So what do we do?” James asked, worry etched on his face
“You must cast the spell yourself.” Eleanor said, nodding her head in agreement to what she said.
“It's a strong magic. I might not survive it”
“You're stronger than you know. Go on son, that shelf, locked in a small compartment. Find the Book of Shadows. It holds the spell to tame the dragon” Eleanor said, handing him a small, ornate key.
James nodded and tried to dash off but was drawn back by eleanor
“Be careful son. The path to the book is full of danger."
James nodded, his heart pounding.
He dashed towards the hidden section of the bookshelves, he found the book and made for the dragon.
"Remember, magic is about the heart." Eleanor called after him as he returned with the book and made for the streets.
James disappeared into the shadows, ready to face the dragon. So determined to save Eldoria and prove himself worthy.
Now he was face to face with the dragon, he shuffled through the book casting spell upon spell against a dragon that fought back, spitting fire and brimstone on any nearby surface and James too.
At the last spell, James called onto the fathers of his land and pleaded for help. He stretched forth his wand and a great force like a tornado appeared and whisked the dragon away, back to its locked up cave.
The people of Eldoria were once again free from the shackles of the evil dragon. Thanks to James, a small apprentice of Master Merlin.
Well, Merlin's apprentice (of sorts) got the job done! So did you -- good story!
Merlin's apprentice huh?.... I wouldn't expect anything less from the servant of a renowned magician...lol.
A very beautiful story told in this piece. 😊
As always your story is good but the start is different and the 'nestled between two mountains is what AI shows over and over again. It's a bit too much.
I think I'll just take a break from ecency. Maybe a week or two. All this AI stuff isn't motivating at all.
No offense though.
You can ignore it but it's hard. Heard Microsoft will add an AI button to the keyboard. I do understand what you mean. I try hard to stick what I like to write most but... 🥴. Enjoy the break.
Greetings @wakeupkitty
Nice story... With my imagination while reading it, it felt like a powerful witch fighting a dragon in one of the witch movies .
Exactly what I intended to give the readers. Thank you for reading.
Ur welcome.
Thank you for joining pic1000.