Alan and his steed bade farewell to the grateful villagers, embarking once more on their arduous journey. Ahead lay the unknown, the barren land stretching endlessly in all directions. The terrain grew more desolate with each passing day, the ground cracked and dry. Water became increasingly scarce, and often, Alan had to dig under the dried-up riverbeds, hoping to find some relief. When he was fortunate enough to find water, it was foul-smelling, teeming with bugs, but still, he had no choice but to drink it. Despite the hardships, he pressed on, the goal of finding the fairies and gaining the power to avenge his family burning in his heart.
One day, after days of endless walking, Alan stumbled upon an open area, and in the distance, he saw something that almost made him doubt his eyes—a golden palace gleaming in the sun. His heart raced with anticipation.
But before he could approach, a voice called out, "Hello, my dear prince."
Startled, Alan spun around, trying to locate the source of the voice. His senses heightened, he cautiously advanced down the road, alert for any signs of danger. As he neared the palace, he saw a familiar face—the old lady he had saved from the goblins.
"Do not be alarmed," she said, her voice gentle but commanding. "I had to test your heart, to see if you were truly a man of integrity."
Alan stared at her in disbelief. She smiled, nodding. "I am pleased to see that your heart remains pure. Your parents must be proud to have such a son."
"Thank you, my lady," Alan replied, his voice tinged with gratitude.
The fairy's smile softened. "But tell me, what brings you so far into this island? What do you seek?"
Alan hesitated for a moment before answering. "I do not seek riches or glory, my lady. I seek only a sword—a weapon to help me avenge those who destroyed my family and my people."
The fairy's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze piercing. "And why come to us for such a sword?"
Alan took a deep breath, his heart heavy with the weight of his past. "I come from a faraway land, where a dark force slaughtered my people. I was powerless to stop it, but now, I am on a quest to gather the strength needed to defeat that force."
The fairy listened intently, her expression unreadable. After a long pause, she spoke, "Very well. I can give you a sword, but know this—it holds no magic of its own. The magic lies within you. If you are worthy, you will make great use of it. But remember this, young prince: never let the darkness consume your heart. If you do, you will become no different than the very forces you seek to destroy."
Alan nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of her words.
The fairy led him into the palace. The sight before him took his breath away—the entire castle was made of gold, with jewels scattered across the floor like precious dust. The air smelled of wealth, but it was not this that captivated Alan. The fairy gestured toward a collection of swords—some made of gold, others of silver, and even some adorned with emeralds and rubies.
"Choose wisely," she said.
Alan walked among the swords, his fingers brushing each one. Despite the allure of the dazzling golden and jeweled blades, he was drawn to a simple black sword. Its hilt was plain, and the blade was forged from iron. It looked heavier than the others, but there was something about it that called to him. As his hand closed around it, a wave of anxiety washed over him. Yet, he felt a deep, undeniable connection with the sword.
The fairy raised an eyebrow. "An unusual choice, young prince. But perhaps it is the one meant for you."
She smiled, then handed him a shield and a suit of armor. "This is for your honesty, and for the aid you gave me in defeating the goblins. The armor is made of tungsten—the strongest metal known to man. It will protect you as you face the challenges ahead."
Alan bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you, my lady. Without your help, I would have perished long ago."
With his new weapon and armor, Alan set off once more. But as he retraced his steps, something strange happened. The castle that had been so clearly visible just moments ago was gone, as if it had never existed. The area where the golden palace had stood was now empty, with only a lone boulder in its place. Alan stood frozen, confusion flooding his mind.
Without any clear direction, he and his steed wandered aimlessly, the harsh sun beating down upon them. The heat was unbearable, and the landscape grew even more barren. The oppressive warmth caused Alan to grow dizzy, and he collapsed near a dried-up watering hole. His faithful steed, though exhausted, managed to carry him to safety.
After what seemed like an eternity, they stumbled upon a small cave by a narrow ridge. To Alan's surprise, the water in the cave was crystal clear, shimmering like a gift from the goddess Avon herself. They drank deeply, the cool water refreshing them in ways they had never imagined. For the first time in days, Alan felt his strength returning.
As night fell, they camped by the water, thankful for the divine intervention. But at dawn, they continued their journey, unaware that the challenges were far from over.
As they traveled, a strange sight caught Alan's eye. A bird, glowing with a cyan hue, circled them, its luminescent feathers casting an eerie light. Alan tried to ignore it, but the bird seemed determined to lead them. Reluctantly, Alan decided to follow the bird, which eventually led them to a familiar sight—the ship they had sailed on earlier.
Alan's heart skipped a beat. He had no idea how they had returned so quickly, but as he boarded the ship with his steed, the captain's face showed clear shock.
"Didn't we just leave a few hours ago?" the captain asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
Alan stared at him, bewildered. "Yes, my task is complete. Why do you look so surprised?"
The captain shook his head in astonishment. "It's only been a few hours since you left. How did you return so soon?"
Alan's mind raced. Could the bird have been sent by the fairies? Was it their doing? For a moment, doubt crept into his mind, but he decided to dismiss it.
"Change the course," Alan said, trying to focus on the present rather than question the mysteries of the island.