Kingdom Chronicles: Mayhem at Gizmo Tower

The Destined One

“Artemis! I know you can hear me,” Ace yelled outside the church doors. Ace was pacing growing more and more impatient with each step he takes. A hooded figure appeared in the entrance and slowly removed his hood to reveal an old hermit. “Ace! My old friend, whatever may be the problem? Artemis sighed.

“It’s Dani, she’s starting to have nightmares,” Ace announced. Artemis smiles and says, “oh good, she can finally start her training.” The moment those words left his lips, Ace grabbed him by the collar and yelled, “she can’t be the next guardian!”

Artemis sighed and removed Ace’s hand from his collar. “In case you didn’t know, our recent guardian has passed away,” Artemis hissed as he tossed the newspaper from a few days ago at Ace’s feet, “it’s now Dani’s turn.” Ace’s face contorted into a frown as he read the headline: "Beloved Guardian Passes, Successor Awaited.”

Ace once again tried to argue but was once again shut down. “Ace, I know you care for her, as do I, but we have no say in this, you know that,” said Artemis. Looking at the newspaper on the ground, Ace muttered, “what about the prophecy?” Artemis puts his hand on his shoulders as he stared at the many stalagmites on the cavern roof.

Back in her room, Dani lay on her bed staring at the ceiling of her bedroom. Her mind swirled with the fragments of her nightmares, images of blazing fires and dark shadows consuming her island. “I hope I get a good dream this time,” Dani sighed to herself as she drifted to sleep.

When Dani opened her eyes she found herself back at the ruins. “Oh come on!”Dani yelled as she kicked a pebble. As Dani continued to study the pillars, the old doors opened with a loud bang and a large hand grabbed Dani and dragged her through the door, flinging her to the other side.

As Dani picked herself up she found herself in a classy, elegant place that looked like the inside of a palace. Dani was amazed and in awe of how stunning the place looked. Golden chandeliers lined the ceiling above her, casting a warm glow on the marble floors and ornate tapestries draping the walls.

The deeper Dani ventured, the more she felt like a mouse in a maze. She found herself being drawn to a door and this door led to a beautiful garden. In the middle of the garden stood a highly decorated gazebo, what was under the gazebo caused Dani to do a double take. It was a weapon, a sword of great strength and prestige and it belonged to the island’s recently deceased guardian. The sword was said to possess the power to command nature, to make living beings, plants or animals, bend to its master’s orders, it was called Palms.

Dani walked slowly towards the gazebo, keeping her eyes on the sword. Dani wondered why this legendary sword is here and more importantly why is it in front of her. As Dani was about to reach the sword, it disappeared as if it was nothing but a mirage. Then she heard it, a roar, it echoed throughout the garden, rattling the glass ceiling of the green house.

Dani prayed it wasn’t what she thought it was but was devastated when the Hydra burst through the doors of the garden ready to devour Dani. Instinct kicked in, and she sprinted away toward the nearest exit. Mere inches from the handle, the hydra managed to trip her and trapped her in its coils. Dani under her breath muttered, “it’s just a dream, it’s just a dream.”

The Hydra tossed Dani in the air like an old rag doll , she landed hard on the unforgiving ground a couple of feet away. Pushing herself up, Dani looked towards the empty gazebo and started to think of her friends and family. With a trembling voice , she called for help, but the only response was the thunderous footsteps of the hydra approaching. Taking another look at the gazebo Dani thought of the sword.

“Grant me the power to defeat my enemy,” Dani begged as she clenched her eyes closed, “let me fight for those I care for.” Dani, with her eyes still closed, felt something warm and heavy in her hands. Opening her eyes revealed the sword, no longer a mirage but a solid steel embodiment of her hope and determination. The Hydra roared angrily at Dani, as if to remind her that it’s still there, and charged forward with full force.

Feeling her fear melt away, Dani stood with sword in hand ready to face her fears once and for all. Dani jumped into the air and with one swing beheaded the Hydra.

The creature's monstrous body crumbled, dissolving into mist, leaving only silence and serenity in its wake. Feeling heavy, Dani stumbled towards the door only to fall to the ground asleep.

Upon waking up, Dani found herself in her room more confused than ever. “Arghhh! I can’t take it anymore,” Dani complained, scratching her head furiously. Sitting in her dark room, she remembers hearing about a hermit that lives in a cave at the oasis outside of town, said to have answers for everything. “Maybe he has answers for my strange dreams,” Dani thought as she grabbed her backpack.

Sneaking past her parent’s room, Dani tiptoed down the stairs and out the door thinking they wouldn't notice. Mallorie and James opened their eyes and watched with heavy hearts as Dani left the safety of their home. Both knew her fiery spirit couldn't be contained, and yet they smiled, trusting in her resolve.

Dani walked for what seemed like hours, until she finally reached the oasis. The place looked very eerie with just the moon shining down but taking a deep breath Dani continued on. Having been going to the oasis with her parents for years, she was confident that she could find this cave. Looking around for a while, Dani found the cave behind the waterfall.