Curiosity was Jack's driving force, a trait that set him apart from others. For as long as he could remember, he'd dreamt of setting sail for the mysterious island of Doom. The tales of adventure shared by his father only fueled his imagination. The day had come that he must embark on this incredible journey.
As the evening sun painted the sky with shades of orange, Jack set sail on his catamaran boat, heading northward into the vast ocean. The breeze was invigorating, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration. He recalled the promise he'd made to his best friend, Arad, "When I finally make it to the island of Doom, I'll return with stories that will erase your fears."
As he sailed, his mind wandered through the stories he'd heard, and he found himself lost in his thoughts. It was only when he awoke that he realized he was closer to the shores of the Dooms island than he'd imagined. The island, with its lush greenery and picturesque landscape, unfolded before him. The breeze that greeted him was as refreshing as his imaginations had painted it.
"I'm finally here," he breathed, a triumphant smile gracing his lips. "It doesn't look scary at all," he mused while observing the island through his telescope.
Once he reached the sandy shore, he disembarked and took in the pristine beauty of the beach. The landscape seemed strangely familiar, just as the stories had described. Yet, a peculiar mist shrouded the island's interior. "There's something odd about that mist," Jack muttered, struggling to place his finger on it.
He turned his attention to his boat, intending to pull it ashore, but an inexplicable force seemed to resist him. Panic briefly overcame him, but Jack soon gathered his courage. "I can do this. There's nothing to fear." With renewed determination, he tugged at the boat, but it resisted, almost as if an invisible hand was playing tug-of-war with him.
As the boat was abruptly pulled back into the ocean and disappeared beneath the waves, Jack stood in disbelief. "That's strange," he muttered, frustration and unease welling up. "Perhaps this place is truly cursed."
After a moment of contemplation, he reassured himself, "Maybe I can find another boat somewhere on the island. All I need to do is explore." The tales of ancient ancestors who had visited but never returned haunted his thoughts, but he couldn't turn back now.
Walking toward the fading mist, he was astonished to find it parting before him, revealing the lush forest of the island. The stories had claimed the mist was impenetrable, and yet, here he was, walking right through it.
The forest was nothing short of breathtaking. The orderly rows of trees and vibrant flowers were a sight to behold. Jack's curiosity led him deeper into the island, and he was enchanted by a unique plant with a profusion of flowers. Unable to resist, he plucked one of the blossoms.
In an instant, the seemingly harmless plant transformed into a menacing, ghastly being. Jack's initial fascination gave way to terror, and he screamed in horror. The creature, resembling molten tar with fiery red eyes and a gaping maw, howled in response and disappeared into the trees.
Fear coursed through Jack, and he sprinted back to the shore. In his haste, he tripped on a stone and fell face-first to the ground. Desperation fueled him as he heard ominous footsteps drawing closer. Refusing to look back, he scrambled to his feet and began to crawl, seeking refuge. But the pursuing entity was relentless, its grip on his foot sent shivers down his spine.
With a sudden jolt, the being lifted Jack off the ground, allowing it to scrutinize its terrified captive with its piercing gaze.
"Who dares to disturb my island?" the creature howled, its voice echoing with bitterness in a deep, crackly tone.
"I'm so sorry. I'll never come back here again," Jack responded, a mixture of fear and regret in his voice.
During the struggle with the monstrous being, Jack had managed to grab a heavy stone. With one last surge of strength, he hurled it at the towering, tree-like monster. The impact sent the creature reeling, and it dropped Jack onto the ground with a mournful groan. Jack seized this moment to flee. He sprinted towards the shores, not daring to look back.
But the island seemed to have other plans. The ground behind him crumbled into a dark, dusty mist, almost as if the island itself was coming to life. Jack was driven by sheer terror as he sprinted towards the water, his heart pounding as fast as a drumbeat. He ran to the shores and without thinking or looking back he ran on the water swiftly. The dark mist grew big transforming into a huge ghastly being that towered into the sky similar to the smaller one he had seen earlier. It blew out air from its mouth which caused the water behind jack to rise up like great ocean waves. The waves chased Jack as he ran upon the water. His heart pounded as fast as if he would die.
Just at the point the waves threatened to drown him, he jolted awake. His heart still raced, and he glanced around to confirm that he was safe. Morning had arrived, and the weather was pleasant. Jack sighed in relief.
"Perhaps this place is indeed terrifying," he mused, his voice quivering. "Maybe it's cursed. I'll need to be more careful."
Jack peered through his telescope, spotting the island in the distance. He was determined to reach it. The island's beauty beckoned to him, and he wasted no time setting sail toward it.
Once he reached the island's shores, he was astounded to find that he could effortlessly drag his boat onto the sand. It was nothing like the experience from his nightmare.
"Hmm, it's different from what I expected," he remarked. "Time to accomplish my mission and leave this place as quickly as I can."
With his map in hand, Jack began to navigate the island. The island was known to be veiled by a powerful mist, preventing anyone from entering it or revealing its secrets. Yet, parts of it, like the beach and the rocky headlands, remained visible and accessible. These headlands were of particular importance to Jack and his people from Valga.
Valga was Jack's home, a peaceful island surrounded by the ocean and lush coasts. The land was dotted with hills and featured a grand mountain with a magnificent waterfall at its center, feeding into winding streams. The island was blessed with abundant greenery, and its inhabitants lived a simple and harmonious life.
The people of Valga depended on the magical pearls collected from the Dooms Island, which possessed remarkable healing properties. These pearls were the lifeblood of Valga, sustaining the island's wellbeing and its people. However, their power was not everlasting. The entire Dooms Island was believed to be imbued with magic.
In Valga, a tradition had evolved: young boys embarked on a journey to the Dooms Island to collect these special pearls when they came of age. It was a rite of passage, and every young boy was expected to undertake this perilous quest. Jack, at the age of fourteen, set forth on this journey, distinguishing himself not only as a boy but as the son of the village chief, destined to inherit the throne of Valga. This privilege required him to embark on the journey alone, just as his father and forefathers had done.
The Dooms Island was shrouded in mystery, with countless tales circulating about its enigmatic nature. Most accounts mentioned a dense mist that concealed the island's secrets, trapping a darkness within. No one knew the true nature of the island, its powers, or the ancient chiefs' fears regarding its influence on Valga. The tales told of strange, magical colors dancing in the mist at night and eerie noises and screams, reminiscent of witches tormenting unknown creatures. One legend recounted the story of a jelly-like, ethereal ghost that would hover over the headlands to terrify those who dared to gather pearls. Such stories had filled young boys with a sense of caution.
Jack was a striking, slightly built teenager, known for his charm and inquisitiveness. After studying his map, he embarked on a journey to the headlands, an area still untouched by the island's mystical mist. As he climbed the slope to the headlands, he couldn't help but admire the breathtaking scenery that unfolded before him.
"Whoa!" Jack exclaimed, marveling at the natural beauty that surrounded him. "It's more beautiful than I ever imagined."
The headlands harbored a pristine, sparkling spring with pearls of various colors visible beneath the water's surface. Jack removed his backpack and approached the spring. With careful delight, he began collecting the precious pearls until his bag was brimming with their iridescent glow.
Once he had finished gathering enough pearls,, he draped his bag over his shoulder, ready to leave. Suddenly, a soft voice, like a gentle whisper, called his name, sending shivers down his spine. He spun around; searching for the source, but the voice seemed to recede into the distance. An eerie silence fell, leaving Jack feeling increasingly uneasy. He rushed towards the shore, his earlier desire to explore now replaced by fear.
Just as he was about to board his boat and head home, the voice called to him again. He turned and was met with a peculiar sight. The thick mist had parted, revealing a young girl, about his age, standing right in front of it.
"Did she come from the mist?" Jack wondered. He squinted at her through the mist's smoky veil, and her eyes met his, sparkling like brilliant beacons in the murkiness.
The girl was enchanting, dressed in a simple white silk gown adorned with vibrant, embroidered flowers. A crown made of roses sat atop her head, revealing golden, wet locks that cascaded from her pointed ears to her chest.
Jack was captivated by her beauty and the mystery of her appearance. She beckoned to him, inviting him to join her, and though he hesitated, curiosity overpowered his caution. Slowly, he followed her as they ventured into the dissipating mist.
The mist enveloped them like a thick, cold cloud, causing Jack to shiver and fold his arms as they moved through it. When they emerged on the other side, they were met with a breathtaking sight.
Jack paused to take in the magnificent garden, meticulously tended with lush, tangled foliage and an array of vibrant flowers. The landscape was marked by hills and mountains, mostly rocky and barren. Trees, while scarcely spaced, covered the hilltops. A stunning waterfall descended from the mountains, splintering into different tributaries.
"Wow!" Jack exclaimed, overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of it all. He was enchanted by the surroundings, and for a moment, he almost forgot about the girl he had seen earlier. Then, his gaze returned to her.
"There you are," he said, gaining confidence as he approached the girl slowly. "Hello there. My name is Jack." Jack greeted her warmly, but the girl appeared nervous and remained silent, her eyes closely tracking his every movement.
Jack's greeting hung in the air for a moment until the girl finally spoke, her voice trembling but carrying an enchanting charm.
"I'm Talia," she introduced herself with a hint of nervousness. Her eyes, still sparkling, betrayed the unease that lurked beneath her captivating exterior. "It's, um, not often that someone from your world finds their way to this garden. You see, this place is, well, a hidden sanctuary of sorts."
Jack was taken aback by her words. "A hidden sanctuary?" he repeated, curiosity piqued.
Talia nodded, her golden hair gleaming. "Yes, the people of your island, Valga, have always been curious about Dooms Island, but they don't usually venture past the shores."
"True," Jack admitted, realizing the significance of what lay beyond. "The stories we hear about this place are full of mysteries."
Talia's nerves seemed to ease as Jack's words conveyed a sense of understanding. "This garden is indeed a magical place. The water from our streams nurtures it and sustains the trees and flowers. You can say it's the heart of our island. "
Jack's eyes danced with wonder. "I feel honored to be here, Talia. It's like a dream."
Talia smiled, her grace returning. "I'm glad you find it enchanting. And, well, there's something else you should know."
"What's that?" Jack asked, eager to learn more about this enchanting world.
Talia leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "In this garden, I have some very special friends—fairies. They live here, hidden away from the world. I suppose you could say we share this magical place."
Jack's eyes widened with amazement. "Fairies? Here in the garden?"
Talia nodded. "Yes, they're incredibly kind and benevolent. They help take care of the garden and add their own touch of magic to it."
Jack was spellbound. "I've heard tales of fairies, but I've never met one. Are they here with us now?"
Talia's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Yes, they are. They're shy around newcomers, but they're watching us from the shadows. They're just curious about you, Jack."
Jack couldn't help but smile at the thought of sharing this secret haven with the world of fairies. "I'd love to meet them."
Talia's tone shifted from nervousness to warmth. "You will, Jack, but they might need some time to get used to you. I promise they're wonderful friends to have."
As they walked deeper into the enchanting forest, Jack and Talia's conversation continued, forging a connection between their worlds.
…
"I'm curious to know if you've ever left your island?" Jack asked, curiosity sparkling in his eyes. "Maybe, you could come see my island. It's beautiful as well and my father is the village chief. You could love it there too. Although my island is dying, it's still worth it." Jack suggested.
"I'm so sorry about your island, I wish there was anything I could do to help." She replied to him with a sense of longing.
"Not to worry about it. That's why I came, look…" Jack brought out a piece of the pearls from his collections to show her. "With these pearls, my island can heal itself. Magic flows through them." The pearl glowed even brighter in the presence of Talia.
Talia recognized the pearls and took a closer look. She made the pearl float in the air just above Jack's hands. With her mind, she moved it throughout the garden and then shot it into the sky, creating a beautiful display like fireworks. Jack's experience was elated as they both lay in the grass in silence staring at the evening stars.
"I can't leave my island. I am duty-bound to this island." Talia confessed eventually.
Curious, Jack inquired, "What do you mean?"
"My place is here with my friends and the nature of my island. The island's magic won't let us leave. I have never had anyone like me here before." She said, her eyes teared in slight sadness. "I was brought up by the fairies. They've been my only family. They said I was made from clay by the magic of this island to serve it. I felt something was coming and a deep connection drew me to the mist and for the first time it opened to me. Then, there you stood."
"I felt something too. A voice called to me." Jack shared.
"Maybe we both have a purpose here". Talia responded "come with me" she stood up and beckoned him. She took him by hand and led him through a secret passage.
"Where are we going?" Jack wondered.
"To see the fairies". Talia answered. They walked into a little clearing surrounded by woods. It was a large well tended garden. The luscious tinkle of the waterfall that flowed somewhere close by, the humming and flapping of the birds and the lush harmony of the entire garden was pleasant to the ears. The garden was lit by rays of light penetrated through the gigantic tree branches giving an amazing low density lighting and shadows making it possible for the fairies' glow to be visible.
Jack glanced up. There were lots of fireflies swarming all over the garden. The fairies now awake from their morning slumber. There were numerous fairies of different kinds. Jack couldn't believe his eyes. The fairies admired him and made adorable tiny tinkles happily.
"Here we are". Talia shrugged, lowering her eyes and raising it back to stare into his leaving a lingering expression.
Jack was captivated by the magical beings and commented, "They are indeed magical."
Soon short friendly trolls joined them. "they are tricksters and love to play". Talia quickly warned. They all admired Jack, of course, he was very charming and receptive. They played and sang songs together all night.
The god fairy rushed into the garden and interrupted them. He was panting and exhausted. The god fairy's appearance was unique, he had a structure of the trolls but his face was that of the elf fairies.
"O, Papi! There you are. Have been waiting for you. I would like you to meet my new friend, Jack." She said while she grinned in anticipation of approval.
"Hi…" Jack greeted sheepishly. Before he could complete his sentence he was interrupted.
"Something strange has happened and you need to see it. Quick, come with me. I think it's the phoenix". This announcement stirred a great murmuring amongst the fairies. Everyone sensed it was a matter of urgency.
They followed a trail through the dim lit cave to a valley named; the valley of wonders. This place housed a very powerful dark Phoenix enclosed in a large crystal pearl.
On that day, Papi had observed that the blackened crystal had become colorfully brightened while he was picking up mushrooms to prepare some portions. Its core had come to life and was kicking as though it were its heartbeat. This was the first time ever in so many years.
Soon they all reached near the crystal. "What is happening to it?" Talia questioned the god fairy.
"I have no idea". He retorted.
"You have to think of something". Talia suggested. She was worried that something bad could have happened to the crystal. She turned to the fairies to see if any of them could know something helpful.
"Maybe we could find our answers in the scrolls of wisdom". Papi gave a thoughtful suggestion. "What are you fairies waiting for? Go fetch the scrolls." Papi yelled at the fairies and troll that stood helplessly.
Soon a large scroll was brought to him. He carefully scanned through it. As soon as he found a picture similar to the situation he paused, placing a finger tip on it.
"Here it is!" he exclaimed. "There's a cryptic message written about it".
"What does it say?" Talia demanded.
"Love shall break the long darkness; cleanse the dark soul till it be reborn". Papi read out loud. In tense confusion he didn't understand what it meant.
"What does that mean?" Jack inquired of Talia. She couldn't understand either. Just before she could say a thing. Papi continued "darkness shall await the voice of one with both the magic of light and a pure heart". And he ended his reading.
"That's all it says". Papi concluded and his eyes were fixed on Jack. "I think what the scroll says has to do with him". The whole fairies murmured softly in agreement.
"Me…?" Jack responded in shock.
"How can we be so sure?" Talia asked. "Does it say a good or bad sign?" she inquired.
"Think of it. 'A voice…? ' we've been here for many years and nothing happened. I think the Phoenix is ready". Papi answered.
Fear struck Jack. He never understood the entire conversation; he wished someone could explain better. Thought ran through his mind of this phoenix.
Papi walked up to Jack slowly, held him by his palm and said "for whatever reason you're here. It could be the change the world needs. A time has come where your part is crucial to our island. I hope this is for the best outcome". Papi, the fairies and even the trolls left Jack and Talia alone.
Jack had the spirit of the gods. Unknown to him, he had a dormant magic inside him passed on from his ancestors. His pure heart was activated by Talia's touch unknowingly.
Jack stood confused staring at the pearl. He felt a connection with the pearl as though he could read its mind. He raised his hand to wave at the pearl, a stream of magic flowed through his hand and his finger sparked magic. The surprise and pain startled him.
"How did you do that?" Talia questioned; rushing to help him.
"I don't know, maybe it's just coincidence and it hurts". Jack wailed out in pain.
Talia dipped his hand into a nearby water and with her magic healed him. "how do you feel now?" she asked him.
"Much better now, I guess". Jack responded, still trying to understand what had happened. He sat on a rock near to Talia. Jack pointed at a shooting star. "That's very beautiful". The sky was lit by tiny twinkling stars scattered in the air and a dust of nebula gasses filtered it. "This place is beautiful; I wish my people saw this too."
"Tell me, what is it like outside this island?"
Jack gave it some thoughts before answering her. "Outside is freedom I guess, the open sea, flying birds and all the people living out there. Far beyond is my island, Valga where my father is the village chief. He's a brave and honest leader of my people. You know, he once said to me 'son, there's much to learn because one day, the fate of our people will rest on your shoulders'." He said mimicking his father's accent in a funny way. They both laughed profusely. Their laughter echoed through the air, bonding them in a moment of shared amusement and cherished memories.
"That's so sweet, you'll be a brave and wise leader like your father". Talia encouraged.
"Hopefully, that day won't arrive too swiftly. I can't fathom how he manages the weight of such responsibility," Jack expressed, his tone tinged with concern. "Moreover, my island is dying and the safety of my people hangs in uncertainty. Our ancestors believed in the magic of your island, hoping it could rescue ours from imminent ruin," he confided.
"I'm really sorry for your dying island". Talia comforted him, expressing genuine concern. "Your people sound incredibly spirited and enjoyable. I'd cherish the opportunity to meet them someday," she remarked with a hopeful tone.
"Our existence is intricately tied to the dark crystal. It's from the magic drawn from this crystal pearl that we were formed, created from dust. If anything were to happen to the crystal, I fear we would simply dissipate into mere particles of dust. Without the crystal, our existence is uncertain," Talia explained, expressing the fragility of their being.
"Are you serious? You're trying to scare me, are you?" Jack teased skeptically.
"Oh, do I? She smiled. Her facial expression and body language was full of charm and grace. Jack was already bewitched by her charms.
Besides, her beauty had captivated a romantic imagination that lingered in Jack's mind. The Phoenix emitted a sudden, unanticipated release of gas with an accompanying, unmistakable sound. It suddenly dawned on Jack and Talia, a peculiar smell slipped into their nostrils. At first, it was sensual and lovely but soon intoxicating as though they became spell bound. They floated in a pool of sensation as though struck by lightning.
They felt tipsy at that moment. Talia's eyelashes fluttered and her breathing hitched, she leaned into Jack's arms. His nerves and every part of his body filled with a sudden surge of desire threatening to carry him away. He shot out his hand and it slid across her waist as she sat next to him. Feeling a jolt of uncertainty but he didn't mind, he moved in tilting his head towards hers. Without a warning, her lips parted. she raised her head surging upward, letting him kiss her softly. The kiss deepened as she kissed him back, giving herself to him and feeling loved.
Waves of pure delight flooded her and as though encoded in her DNA, it felt natural. Suddenly, Jack's eyes blackened. He began gasping for air and for a while he struggled to let go of Talia but the magic was too strong to break free. A radiant burst of magical energy emanated from the Phoenix, engulfing them before gracefully merging with Jack's body. It flowed freely into Talia, of course, Jack's magic was dormant and awaiting a catalyst. The crystal burned bright to its full capacity, merging its magic to theirs. Jack and Talia became possessed by the Phoenix and lost consciousness of this world. Total darkness filled the night briefly.