Post by James on Dec 9, 2014 13:07:37 GMT -5
Hero’s Journey
Chapter 1 – Elrox Disappears
Bard looked out of the window at the blood-red sunset. He wondered about where his cousin had gone. He had disappeared 2 nights ago, under mysterious circumstances, when his neighbour reported that he had went out in search of a swamp monster, who had apparently stolen some of his gold. Bard gazed at the sunset, transfixed, as it glowed golden red behind the mountains. His phoenix, Elrox, clicked his beak softly.
Elrox was a beautiful phoenix, golden red, his feathers neatly arranged, and his eyes a brilliant blue - like the sea. The talons were sharp and strong, and his wings spread out about the width of a car. His bill was short, but it was curved with a sharp point on the end.
“Time for dinner,” thought Bard. He walked from his terrace down to the banquet hall, where a small feast had been prepared, as usual. A huge fire blazed in the grate, and the servants and his friends were tucking into the food. He strolled over and sat down at the table head, pulled over a chicken leg and some curry. He laughed and talked with the others, particularly with an old dwarf who kept making jokes.
Pudding was just about to be served when a blood–curdling screech was heard over the noise. He and the others bolted up the stairs like rockets to Bard’s terrace where the noise was coming from. They burst out of the door into the terrace and they found Elrox shrieking like mad. The sun was just disappearing behind the mountains. Elrox’s feathers were turning golden, as was the air around him, encasing him in gold. Bard yelled and charged forward, but the force from the energy being released threw him back into the crowd. Then, as if on cue, There was an almighty bang and flash, and Elrox was gone. They stood and stared, and slowly, one by one, they left, until bard was the only one left. “Goodbye, my friend,” Bard whispered, as a wicked wind whipped through the air.
Chapter 2 – An Unexpected Guest
That night, Bard couldn’t sleep. Images of that day would creep into his mind, and addle his thoughts. How did Elrox disappear? Where is he now? Is he dead? And, most importantly, Why did he disappear? He scratched his brown hair, and got out of bed. There was no sense in sleeping. And anyway, he needed to look for clues to Elrox’s disappearance. He checked Elrox’s food. Not a trace of poison or anything that would harm Elrox. The temperature had been normal. His perch was in the same place as ever. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.
Bard sighed, and sat down on a chair on the terrace, and rubbed his forehead. How confusing this all is, he thought. He stared out at the hillside, bathed in moonlight, and just again wondered where Elrox had gone. He went downstairs, and made himself a sandwich, and sat down at the table. He ate his sandwich (his favourite, peanut butter) and went back to bed, finally drifting into a restless sleep.
When he awoke, he sat up, and rubbed his eyes, expecting Elrox to click his beak expectantly, asking for food, but he heard nothing. He was a little dazed, and when he finally came to his senses he remembered the previous day, and grimaced. He looked over longingly at the empty perch where Elrox always stood, and at the uneaten food in his tray.
When he went down to breakfast, there was the usual scuffle as they prepared the food, when there was a knock on the large oak front door. It was opened, and a wizard, old and grey, strode into the dining room, straight to the table. The wizard said,” Good day to you, friends, I have a message for you, Lord Bard. It is about your phoenix.” Bard twitched, unsure of what to say. “Your phoenix, Elrox do you call him?”
”Yes,” Bard said.
“Good. Now, you may be wondering who I am. I am Elrond, a name remarkably like Elrox. Your phoenix is a golden phoenix, an extremely rare breed of phoenix. Now the properties of a golden phoenix are many, but the day is short and I have other things to do. A golden phoenix is a breed of phoenix that is completely normal until it is exactly 3 years and 6 months old. Am I right?”
“Well,” said Bard, “His birthday in on the 24th November, and today is the –“ “25th May,” said the wizard calmly. “ So, that means it happened yesterday, unless I am very much mistaken?”
“Yes it did,” Bard replied.
“Elrox has teleported to the Golden volcano, a treacherous journey, if you are to look for him.” Bard thought hard. He loved his home, but he loved Elrox more. “I’m going,” said Bard.
Chapter 3 – The Journey Begins
Bard collected his things in a backpack, including knives, fire starters, shelter, and money, in case he was bribed. He had set off in the morning and now it was mid-afternoon. The mountains leered over him, encasing him like a squirrel in a cage, desperate to be free. These mountains were infested with goblins, which had miles of tunnels under the mountains. There were also a few orcs in there, but they had their own quarters in one of the mountains.
Bard had chosen a route with Elrond, going past the mountains, then keeping on the edge of the desert, and going over the cracks of death. Then he would go around The Plains, to get to a bridge over The Ridge. But to do this he had to go through the small but treacherous Forest of Doom, in which many had perished. Then he would go through the Keepers Gate, and End up in the mountains of Arag, to which he would go through to get to the Golden Volcano.
Bard turned right, thinking in his mind always to stay off the mountains, because this is probably the reason his cousin had disappeared. While he was walking, he kept on wondering about many things. For example, most of the time he was thinking about how Elrond knew Elrox had disappeared, and what a wizened old wizard he was, and if he would ever see him again.
That night, Bard lay slightly submerged in a small pit in his sleeping bag to keep out the worst of the wind, for it was a windy day. He slept well, considering the last few nights, while the howls of the animals in the desert frightened him.
In the morning, Bard got up and made a small breakfast, then set off again. He made his way slowly around the plains, pausing to check his map and compass, then setting off again. He wanted to make good progress, so he only made one stop at lunch, then was off, as he was nearing the Forest of Doom. It was getting dark, so he looked around for a tree, for he was worried a beast could come out of the Forest of Doom and devour him. He spotted a large ash tree on the edge of the plains, and climbed partway up it, settled his sleeping bag in a fork, and snuggled down to sleep.
BANG. Bard’s eyes shot open and he was sitting up in an instant. He peered around the branches, searching from where the noise originated. The foliage was thick, and he couldn’t see what was going on. He heard another BANG, and then a scream of terror. Bard scrambled down as fast as his little legs could carry him. When he was almost on the ground, he heard pleading, and then another shriek. Bard leaped to the ground and glimpsed a terrified man, flat on his back, and a massive Acromantula rearing over him. An Acromantula is a giant spider, and this one must have been at least 10 feet tall. A broken gun was at the man’s side, and his left arm was gushing blood. Bard leaped forward, reached into his belt a pulled out a long dagger. He sprinted to the scene, and plunged his knife into the beast’s hairy back. It hissed and turned round, and Bard hit it again, but it was not to be deterred. He saw it’s long fangs, dripping in cloudy white venom. He was stepping back now, when the man on the ground croaked, “Fire!” Bard reached into his bag whipped out a fire starter, and just as the creature was about to strike, Bard struck his fire starter and the Acromantula’s skin started to blaze, and it roared in anger, but turned into a cinder before their eyes.
Bard leaped over the man, and came to his side. The man said,” Thank you my friend. It is my time to go. Please spend some of your time burying me, but take my pack in return. Inside it is some general things, but there is also a jewel. Now, this jewel is a very powerful magical object, with a very special purpose. Speak to it, and it will build pretty much everything you ask it to. And-“ the man’s eyes closed, and his arms fell limp to the ground.
Chapter 4 – The Forest of Doom
Bard did indeed bury the man, with great care. He had asked the special jewel for a shovel, and a carved gravestone. It took him about an hour, and then he set off into the Forest of Doom.
Inside the forest it was very dark, and from what Elrond had said he should never stray from the path. So he didn’t, even though the other places looked a lot more comforting than this dreary old path. It seemed like thousands of beady eyes were staring at him through the bushes, and he was afraid.
When night fell, Bard kept on going onwards, because he did not trust to sleep in this place. At night, there were even more howls and roars, and Bard was tempted to run. But he kept the jewel clutched in his fist, and would not let go of it.
At last, the trees became thinner, and Bard did indeed run. When he reached the end of the forest, he stopped, to catch his breath. Ahead of him there was a rickety old bridge, over a deep chasm, The Ridge. Behind him, he could see the Forest of Doom, leering at him as ever, and he was glad he was out of it, for a while at least. Ahead of him he could see the mountains of Arag, and the great Golden Volcano, spewing out fire, and what looked like little streaks of gold, flying around to Volcano.
Bard crossed the bridge, with difficulty, and got to the other side. It was almost daybreak, as Bard travelled through the mountains on a small path that looked like it had been made, then never seen again. He had passed the Keepers Gate, where the dragon was, but there was no sign of it.
The day passed like this, with still no sign of the dragon or Elrox, but he was at the base of the Golden Volcano, and he rested there in peace. When he got up, there was the Volcano, as magnificent as ever. Bard started to climb it, slowly but surely, until he reached the crater.
Suddenly there was a roar, and the dragon rose out of the crater, flying around and spewing fire, then Elrox appeared beside the dragon. “Elrox!” Bard yelled, and ran towards him. But the Gate dragon spewed fire at him, and he only just escaped. The dragon had a sort of belt around it’s neck, as did Elrox. The belt had a Blue jewel encrusted in it. The Elrox suddenly shot forward, and raked his talons over Bard’s right arm, penetrating it deeply. Bard screamed, and realised that Elrox was being controlled by the Dragon. The Final Battle had begun.
Chapter 5 – The Final Battle
Bard held the jewel to his mouth and shouted, “Dragon!” and a green, scaly dragon came to Bard. He yelled, ”Attack!” and the green dragon attacked the red one. Bard stood in awe, as the two dragons fought to the death. They scratched each other, bit each other, breathed fire on each other until Elrox flew in to fight. Elrox flew over the dragons, then dived at Bard’s. He pulled the green’s head back, and the gate dragon swiped at the green dragons throat, and it fell to the ground with a large thud.
Bard knew he would now have to fight this battle on his own. He asked the jewel for a spear, and he gripped his dagger in the other hand. Fortunately, The gate dragon had been wounded it the fight, so it was easier to fight. But it was still a tough battle, being 2 vs 1, until Bard had an idea.
As Elrox swooped in for an attack, Bard shoved his spear into Elrox’s collar, and flew round onto Elrox’s back. Elrox shrieked in fury, and, of course, started shaking, trying to get Bard off him. Bard desperately tried to undo the knot on the belt, but he couldn’t. He decided to take drastic action, and swooped under Elrox, grabbing the jewel from the belt. It came free, and Bard hurled it on the ground, where it shattered. Now Elrox was on Bard’s side, this was going to be a cinch. Elrox came down near the dragon and Bard leaped onto its back. The Elrox flew onto the dragon’s head, distracting it, and Bard leaped forward and drove his spear into the dragon’s head, and it roared in fury, but fell to the ground. Bard took a flying leap onto Elrox’s back, and clung on. The dragon fell into the crater slowly and gracefully, and exploded.
Chapter 6 - Homecoming
Bard flew back on Elrox, and he felt this was as happy as he could ever get in the rest of his life. When they arrived back the servants tended to their wounds, and then life (almost) returned to normal. In his bed that night, Bard silently turned, and Bard was sure when he looked at Elrox, Elrox winked at him. “Phoenixes are the greatest beings in the whole world,” said Bard, and Elrox clicked his beak in agreement.
THE END
Chapter 1 – Elrox Disappears
Bard looked out of the window at the blood-red sunset. He wondered about where his cousin had gone. He had disappeared 2 nights ago, under mysterious circumstances, when his neighbour reported that he had went out in search of a swamp monster, who had apparently stolen some of his gold. Bard gazed at the sunset, transfixed, as it glowed golden red behind the mountains. His phoenix, Elrox, clicked his beak softly.
Elrox was a beautiful phoenix, golden red, his feathers neatly arranged, and his eyes a brilliant blue - like the sea. The talons were sharp and strong, and his wings spread out about the width of a car. His bill was short, but it was curved with a sharp point on the end.
“Time for dinner,” thought Bard. He walked from his terrace down to the banquet hall, where a small feast had been prepared, as usual. A huge fire blazed in the grate, and the servants and his friends were tucking into the food. He strolled over and sat down at the table head, pulled over a chicken leg and some curry. He laughed and talked with the others, particularly with an old dwarf who kept making jokes.
Pudding was just about to be served when a blood–curdling screech was heard over the noise. He and the others bolted up the stairs like rockets to Bard’s terrace where the noise was coming from. They burst out of the door into the terrace and they found Elrox shrieking like mad. The sun was just disappearing behind the mountains. Elrox’s feathers were turning golden, as was the air around him, encasing him in gold. Bard yelled and charged forward, but the force from the energy being released threw him back into the crowd. Then, as if on cue, There was an almighty bang and flash, and Elrox was gone. They stood and stared, and slowly, one by one, they left, until bard was the only one left. “Goodbye, my friend,” Bard whispered, as a wicked wind whipped through the air.
Chapter 2 – An Unexpected Guest
That night, Bard couldn’t sleep. Images of that day would creep into his mind, and addle his thoughts. How did Elrox disappear? Where is he now? Is he dead? And, most importantly, Why did he disappear? He scratched his brown hair, and got out of bed. There was no sense in sleeping. And anyway, he needed to look for clues to Elrox’s disappearance. He checked Elrox’s food. Not a trace of poison or anything that would harm Elrox. The temperature had been normal. His perch was in the same place as ever. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.
Bard sighed, and sat down on a chair on the terrace, and rubbed his forehead. How confusing this all is, he thought. He stared out at the hillside, bathed in moonlight, and just again wondered where Elrox had gone. He went downstairs, and made himself a sandwich, and sat down at the table. He ate his sandwich (his favourite, peanut butter) and went back to bed, finally drifting into a restless sleep.
When he awoke, he sat up, and rubbed his eyes, expecting Elrox to click his beak expectantly, asking for food, but he heard nothing. He was a little dazed, and when he finally came to his senses he remembered the previous day, and grimaced. He looked over longingly at the empty perch where Elrox always stood, and at the uneaten food in his tray.
When he went down to breakfast, there was the usual scuffle as they prepared the food, when there was a knock on the large oak front door. It was opened, and a wizard, old and grey, strode into the dining room, straight to the table. The wizard said,” Good day to you, friends, I have a message for you, Lord Bard. It is about your phoenix.” Bard twitched, unsure of what to say. “Your phoenix, Elrox do you call him?”
”Yes,” Bard said.
“Good. Now, you may be wondering who I am. I am Elrond, a name remarkably like Elrox. Your phoenix is a golden phoenix, an extremely rare breed of phoenix. Now the properties of a golden phoenix are many, but the day is short and I have other things to do. A golden phoenix is a breed of phoenix that is completely normal until it is exactly 3 years and 6 months old. Am I right?”
“Well,” said Bard, “His birthday in on the 24th November, and today is the –“ “25th May,” said the wizard calmly. “ So, that means it happened yesterday, unless I am very much mistaken?”
“Yes it did,” Bard replied.
“Elrox has teleported to the Golden volcano, a treacherous journey, if you are to look for him.” Bard thought hard. He loved his home, but he loved Elrox more. “I’m going,” said Bard.
Chapter 3 – The Journey Begins
Bard collected his things in a backpack, including knives, fire starters, shelter, and money, in case he was bribed. He had set off in the morning and now it was mid-afternoon. The mountains leered over him, encasing him like a squirrel in a cage, desperate to be free. These mountains were infested with goblins, which had miles of tunnels under the mountains. There were also a few orcs in there, but they had their own quarters in one of the mountains.
Bard had chosen a route with Elrond, going past the mountains, then keeping on the edge of the desert, and going over the cracks of death. Then he would go around The Plains, to get to a bridge over The Ridge. But to do this he had to go through the small but treacherous Forest of Doom, in which many had perished. Then he would go through the Keepers Gate, and End up in the mountains of Arag, to which he would go through to get to the Golden Volcano.
Bard turned right, thinking in his mind always to stay off the mountains, because this is probably the reason his cousin had disappeared. While he was walking, he kept on wondering about many things. For example, most of the time he was thinking about how Elrond knew Elrox had disappeared, and what a wizened old wizard he was, and if he would ever see him again.
That night, Bard lay slightly submerged in a small pit in his sleeping bag to keep out the worst of the wind, for it was a windy day. He slept well, considering the last few nights, while the howls of the animals in the desert frightened him.
In the morning, Bard got up and made a small breakfast, then set off again. He made his way slowly around the plains, pausing to check his map and compass, then setting off again. He wanted to make good progress, so he only made one stop at lunch, then was off, as he was nearing the Forest of Doom. It was getting dark, so he looked around for a tree, for he was worried a beast could come out of the Forest of Doom and devour him. He spotted a large ash tree on the edge of the plains, and climbed partway up it, settled his sleeping bag in a fork, and snuggled down to sleep.
BANG. Bard’s eyes shot open and he was sitting up in an instant. He peered around the branches, searching from where the noise originated. The foliage was thick, and he couldn’t see what was going on. He heard another BANG, and then a scream of terror. Bard scrambled down as fast as his little legs could carry him. When he was almost on the ground, he heard pleading, and then another shriek. Bard leaped to the ground and glimpsed a terrified man, flat on his back, and a massive Acromantula rearing over him. An Acromantula is a giant spider, and this one must have been at least 10 feet tall. A broken gun was at the man’s side, and his left arm was gushing blood. Bard leaped forward, reached into his belt a pulled out a long dagger. He sprinted to the scene, and plunged his knife into the beast’s hairy back. It hissed and turned round, and Bard hit it again, but it was not to be deterred. He saw it’s long fangs, dripping in cloudy white venom. He was stepping back now, when the man on the ground croaked, “Fire!” Bard reached into his bag whipped out a fire starter, and just as the creature was about to strike, Bard struck his fire starter and the Acromantula’s skin started to blaze, and it roared in anger, but turned into a cinder before their eyes.
Bard leaped over the man, and came to his side. The man said,” Thank you my friend. It is my time to go. Please spend some of your time burying me, but take my pack in return. Inside it is some general things, but there is also a jewel. Now, this jewel is a very powerful magical object, with a very special purpose. Speak to it, and it will build pretty much everything you ask it to. And-“ the man’s eyes closed, and his arms fell limp to the ground.
Chapter 4 – The Forest of Doom
Bard did indeed bury the man, with great care. He had asked the special jewel for a shovel, and a carved gravestone. It took him about an hour, and then he set off into the Forest of Doom.
Inside the forest it was very dark, and from what Elrond had said he should never stray from the path. So he didn’t, even though the other places looked a lot more comforting than this dreary old path. It seemed like thousands of beady eyes were staring at him through the bushes, and he was afraid.
When night fell, Bard kept on going onwards, because he did not trust to sleep in this place. At night, there were even more howls and roars, and Bard was tempted to run. But he kept the jewel clutched in his fist, and would not let go of it.
At last, the trees became thinner, and Bard did indeed run. When he reached the end of the forest, he stopped, to catch his breath. Ahead of him there was a rickety old bridge, over a deep chasm, The Ridge. Behind him, he could see the Forest of Doom, leering at him as ever, and he was glad he was out of it, for a while at least. Ahead of him he could see the mountains of Arag, and the great Golden Volcano, spewing out fire, and what looked like little streaks of gold, flying around to Volcano.
Bard crossed the bridge, with difficulty, and got to the other side. It was almost daybreak, as Bard travelled through the mountains on a small path that looked like it had been made, then never seen again. He had passed the Keepers Gate, where the dragon was, but there was no sign of it.
The day passed like this, with still no sign of the dragon or Elrox, but he was at the base of the Golden Volcano, and he rested there in peace. When he got up, there was the Volcano, as magnificent as ever. Bard started to climb it, slowly but surely, until he reached the crater.
Suddenly there was a roar, and the dragon rose out of the crater, flying around and spewing fire, then Elrox appeared beside the dragon. “Elrox!” Bard yelled, and ran towards him. But the Gate dragon spewed fire at him, and he only just escaped. The dragon had a sort of belt around it’s neck, as did Elrox. The belt had a Blue jewel encrusted in it. The Elrox suddenly shot forward, and raked his talons over Bard’s right arm, penetrating it deeply. Bard screamed, and realised that Elrox was being controlled by the Dragon. The Final Battle had begun.
Chapter 5 – The Final Battle
Bard held the jewel to his mouth and shouted, “Dragon!” and a green, scaly dragon came to Bard. He yelled, ”Attack!” and the green dragon attacked the red one. Bard stood in awe, as the two dragons fought to the death. They scratched each other, bit each other, breathed fire on each other until Elrox flew in to fight. Elrox flew over the dragons, then dived at Bard’s. He pulled the green’s head back, and the gate dragon swiped at the green dragons throat, and it fell to the ground with a large thud.
Bard knew he would now have to fight this battle on his own. He asked the jewel for a spear, and he gripped his dagger in the other hand. Fortunately, The gate dragon had been wounded it the fight, so it was easier to fight. But it was still a tough battle, being 2 vs 1, until Bard had an idea.
As Elrox swooped in for an attack, Bard shoved his spear into Elrox’s collar, and flew round onto Elrox’s back. Elrox shrieked in fury, and, of course, started shaking, trying to get Bard off him. Bard desperately tried to undo the knot on the belt, but he couldn’t. He decided to take drastic action, and swooped under Elrox, grabbing the jewel from the belt. It came free, and Bard hurled it on the ground, where it shattered. Now Elrox was on Bard’s side, this was going to be a cinch. Elrox came down near the dragon and Bard leaped onto its back. The Elrox flew onto the dragon’s head, distracting it, and Bard leaped forward and drove his spear into the dragon’s head, and it roared in fury, but fell to the ground. Bard took a flying leap onto Elrox’s back, and clung on. The dragon fell into the crater slowly and gracefully, and exploded.
Chapter 6 - Homecoming
Bard flew back on Elrox, and he felt this was as happy as he could ever get in the rest of his life. When they arrived back the servants tended to their wounds, and then life (almost) returned to normal. In his bed that night, Bard silently turned, and Bard was sure when he looked at Elrox, Elrox winked at him. “Phoenixes are the greatest beings in the whole world,” said Bard, and Elrox clicked his beak in agreement.
THE END