image credit to pareeerica

An ocean of leaves restlessly moved in unison at the approaching trolls armed with axes and torches. These mischievous creatures were never welcome in the forest of Bahn.

Gladin, the dwarf lord that lead the trolls, commanded to burn everything to the ground. But the forest was not defenseless. In an unforeseen signal, it rained spikes that bore through their thick skins and the fruits spitted saps that extinguished their torches.

The surviving trolls ran amok to the surrounding plains.Gladin looked back and saw the silhouette of Charla, the mistress of the forest. Her diamond eyes blinked at him once then he instantly expired. The roots pulled his remains and those trolls that fell on the ground into the earth.

Charla retired in her cocoon, satisfied with the result of the battle. She laid dormant until the next assault.

image rights to Loelle

“Come back to me” were words Jordan remembered. The memory of his wife’s face was drawn in the smog of the city district.

He swung a sledgehammer and started to demolish a wall of an apartment building on Forty-eight Street. A picture of a young couple fell on the floor. He picked it up then brought the wall down.

It was late when he got home, but his daughter waited for him.

“I made dinner dad,” said the teenager.

Jordan sat down with her and tasted the meal.

“Jane, your pot roast is as good as your mom’s,” he remarked.

“Thanks dad, but mom’s is better,” sneered Jane.

Jordan stared blankly at the empty chair beside his. Jane instinctively walked behind her dad’s chair and hugged him tightly.

“She would have came back, dad, if only she could,” Jane said.

image rights to Zorlone

In the land of Tah, a mighty warrior, Zoran won battles for his powerful, yet greedy ruler, Avarus. His only desire was for the love of his master’s daughter, Maan. Since Maan was Avarus’ most beautiful possession, he vanished her to the night sky and became the moon.

For years the warrior and his beloved were separated. But because the warrior was known throughout the land for his kindness and righteousness, a hermit came to him one day and said,

“Wait for the starless night sky with fertile clouds, your beautiful Maan shall walk upon the land with you for seven days and nights.”

The warrior climbed Mt. Luere and waited for such night. The moon shone through the clouds then Zoran passionately called out for his Maan. When the clouds engulfed the moon, Maan appeared silently at Zoran’s side.

C69RJ3YB5CZ7

Image rights to zenobia_joy

Rene had been working overseas for the past three years, a couple of months more, he would be able to come back to his home land.

“I’ll be there when you graduate, Kit,” said Rene on the phone.

Kit heard his father hushed a child’s voice in the background, but disregarded the thought from his mind and said, “That would be great, dad. Mom and I can’t wait to see you again.”

“Take care of your mom until I get there, bye,” Rene replied then hung up.

“Renaldo, be sure to leave us money when you go home and you’d better come back,” a woman snapped.

Rene looked at the young woman holding his child then retorted, “I’ll come back for my son!”

The toddler simply looked at him, perplexed by the look in his father’s face, but smiled back.

Image rights to bossejonsson59

Olin and Genu reached the land of the prophets. It was a desolate place that sucks the life out of mortal men. The brothers had to be in their beast forms.

An old man appeared in front of them wielding a staff. “We have been expecting you,” he said.

The ground shook and caved in beneath them. Olin flapped his Pegasus wings and flew, while Genu shifted into a king cobra and clung to Olin. The old man pointed his staff and threw lightning bolts at them. Olin maneuvered just in time for Genu to jump off towards the man. He bounded his body then hissed, “Take us to the blue hyacinth.”

The man reluctantly replied to Genu, “The blue hyacinth can never be taken, only won,” he said.

“So be it,” Genu replied. I shall fight for its possession.

Image Rights to biggreymare

Justin woke up longing. He recalled how his nights were full of passion for his wife. The memories felt like dreams of another lifetime away. Now, her side of the bed lay empty.

He got up and went to shower. There were traces of his wife’s presence there. Her robe, toothbrush, and perfumes were in place.

The phone rang, with his husky voice he replied, “Hello?”

“It’s me, I’m sorry.”

His memories of that night almost drowned his consciousness. He found his wife in the arms of another man, but his craving for her touch faded the anger from his heart and when he saw his empty bed, he felt the need to be with her again.

He replied, “I miss you so much, come back to me.”

Justin heard the sobs from the other line and ended the call.

Image Rights to quizilla

“Our kind has been involved in too much bloodshed I can only ask you to help me right the wrong that was done,” pleaded Olin.

“There is no other way, but to destroy them,” replied Genu. “Even if I’d lose my life to do it.” His eyes were full of rage as he plotted to fight with teeth, claws, and fangs.

“The Alexandrite is the key,” Olin said. “A drop of the nectar of the blue hyacinth neutralizes its enchantment. The people of the forbidden forest shall awaken from the curse of the high priest.”

“But it could only be found in the land of the prophets,” Genu said. “A week’s journey to get there and back.”

“I’ll go with no one else but you – brother,” Olin replied.

Olin shifted into a Pegasus and Genu a Manticore then they flew.

Image rights to munecaoriginal

One early morning, Dr. Robert Cruz was about to make rounds, when he saw his childhood friend in the elevator.

“Here, keep this,” Alyssa said as she handed over a pocket sized Bible to the doctor. “It already helped me through a lot.”

The doctor politely thanked his friend then went on his rounds when the elevator door opened. He received an SMS from Alyssa.

“I also spent sleepless nights watching my friend deteriorate at room 407. I know you can recover from the pain.”

He saw the reflection of his dark set eyelids from a hallway mirror. He opened the Bible and read the inscription inside:

“Alyssa,

Robert gave me this to remind me about faith and moving on.

Always,

Tina Cruz.”

Tears fell in front of the empty room where Tina’s name used to be seen by Robert.

Image rights to sfPhotocraft

The sun was already low in the horizon when he reached the familiar white residence.

Brian waited in anticipation to meet his former classmate, Mae. This would be their first meeting in six years after graduation. He wanted to surprise her; his memory of her home served him well. He traveled hundreds of miles, just to see her again.

With orange tulips and chocolates in his hands, a black coupe parked on the street and he saw her familiar figure. Mae didn’t change; everything about her was the same.

Her face lighted up when she saw him. “Brian!” she exclaimed, not entirely knowing what to say.

The passenger door opened, a small boy came out and looked at them. Brian’s heart felt light at the presence of the child who bore the same eyes and shape of his handsome face.

Image rights to outdoorlife.com

Like a burst of energy, Genu shifted into a monstrous black bear and with one strike, the cage was destroyed. He broke his brother’s chain like it was ceramic. Olin shifted into a lion and they both rampaged out of the palace.

As soon as they were in a clearing, Genu shifted into a falcon and Olin into a hawk. They flew into the heart of the forest where the thick canopies of oak and acacia sheltered them from their bewildered pursuers.

“What has happened to me?” asked Genu in his human form.

“It is the witchcraft of the high priest, brother,” Olin said. “I took the Alexandrite because I know that was the only way to drive you out of the palace. Its mysterious powers enhanced the spell on you,” he continued.

“We have to seek vengeance,” Genu said.