Splinterlands Fantasy Story and Music Contest // Week 18 - The Mysterious Cave

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So here it goes, after a week without joining the contest. My first post-HF steemmonsters story!

The Mysterious Cave

Finally! I knew I would find it!

Xia was thrilled.

Since she was a child, she heard the tales of the magical cave, deep in the Azmare seas, where ancient treasures and secrets existed. Of course, she also heard about how those tales were just fantasy, made up stories, and how the only things in the depths of Azmare were huge sea beasts that could swallow her whole.

By the time she entered her teenage years, she had no doubts about the sea beasts part... but as the energy flow began to run in her veins, the flow that all Azmare summoners felt, she knew deep within that that cave was real.

And now she was looking at it.

Two months after fleeing home, almost being eaten hole by one of the sea beasts from the child tales, loosing faith a hundred times and gaining it over and over again... the energy that seemed to guide her through all the perils of the deep sea had brought her there.


At first glance, there was nothing special about the cave. Xia imagined it countless times: a huge entrance, crystals of a thousand colours, a royal guard of frozen soldiers... and there it was, a small entrance between two big rocks, no crystals; and a few scattered fish looking at her with curiosity, replacing the guard she imagined.

Nevertheless, she was thrilled. That had to be the place. And with a mix of curiosity, excitment, and a little fear, she entered.

A faint glow lighted the cavern, although she couldn't realise exactly where was the light coming from. The entrance of the cave was followed by a straight corridor, and a stronger light was visible at the end of it. Unable to control the excitement, Xia rushed through the corridor.

It has to be there! Treasures, ancient artefacts, they have to be there! That was the thought on the young summoner's mind.

The stronger light was getting closer and closer.

And as the corridor ended and Xia almost jumped to the big chamber to where the corridor led...

It's empty!

For a few minutes, Xia stood at the entrance, confused.

It had to be there. She felt it.

The chamber was big, but not as big so she couldn't see all of it. And it was empty! Just a big space... and walls. The light was strong there, but as in the corridor, she couldn't quite understand what caused it. It seemed the walls themselves created that light.

The excitment started to gave way to desilusion.

Two months evading perils, away from home and the loved ones, only to reach the chamber of the tales, the one where the energy led her... and to find nothing.

After the first few minutes of shock, she slowly advanced, away from the chamber's entrance.

There has to be something here. What am I missing?

She arrived at the center of the chamber, and looked around. The walls, the ceiling...it all seemed the same! The same colour, the same glow! Except...

She suddenly saw it.

At the far end of the chamber, a small portion of the wall wasn't glowing as the rest of the cave was.

Feeling the excitment return, she went to investigate.

And as she saw the reason, she felt a rush of adrenaline in her whole body.

A staff!

On a very small crevice in the wall, a staff almost her size was lodged. It seemed to have parts of wood and stone, both the same colour as the wall it was inserted.

For a brief moment, Xia hesitated. What if it was a trap? Or if there was a hidden mechanism, that triggered if the staff was removed?

The energy led me here. I have to trust it, as I did until now.

And as her hand moved forward and grabbed the staff... he faded into dust.

Xia was still staring at the wall whe the loud voice echoed in the chamber.

“You didn't thought it would be that easy, did you, Xia Seachan?”

She quickly turned to face whoever talked.

And in the center of the chamber, a purple haze starting inches above the ground started to take shape. A waist at first. A huge torso with bulging muscles and strong arms. And at last, a face with a beard. The sea genie crossed his arms and stood motionless, hovering in mid air, the dark eyes staring directly at the young summoner, without saying another word.

It was Xia that broke the silence.

“Who are you? And how do you know my name”

A grin appeared in the genie's face.

“I know lots of things. Things that were, things that are... things that might be. From times to times, the energy flow that runs in powerful inhabitants of Azmare brings them to my cave. Some I can help, some should have never enterd.” The grin disappeared before continuing. “The ones who can return, are the blessed ones.”

Xia noticed the change in the genie's expression.

“What do you mean, the ones who can return?”

There was almost some sadness in the genie's face, as he slowly started to advance in her direction.

“The cavern holds a blessing... and a curse. Great things can be obtained here. But it is my duty to see if you are worthy of having Azmare energy flowing in your veins; and if you are not, the only thing you will find in this chamber... is your death.”

The summoner's eyes widened as the last word was pronounced. And before she had time to think, an energy bolt hitted her straight in the chest, sending her flying against the wall.

“What are you doing?? Stop!! The energy flow s...”

Xia barely had time to jump to the side, as another blow landed where she had been a split second ago.

It is real! He really is trying to kill me!

Anger started to flow in her veins along with the energy that had brought her there. She felt the energy rush to her hands before the pale blue haze started to surround them.

And when the genie was preparing to strike again, a being made of pure energy materialized in front of the summoner. Xia was ready to jump to the side again, as the genie launched his energy bolt anyway... but neither of them was prepared to what happened next. Part of the energy was reflected back, catching the genie off guard.

Xia was as surprised as the genie.

What in the name of Azmare have I summoned?

She stepped to the side as she noticed the genie recovering from the initial surprise, and getting ready to strike again. But immediatly noticed as the energy source followed her, positioning itself between her and the genie.

The genie lashed a series of strikes, only to be reflected back. And after a couple more strikes, the end result became evident. The energy source was getting smaller and smaller... but the genie was more and more injured as well. And when Xia thought the battle would go on, he stood tall, crossed his arms... and smiled.

“You have no idea of what came to your aid, do you?”

Xia was confused. The same entity that was trying to kill her a couple minutes ago, was smiling and talking as if nothing had happened. And he was right... she had no idea.

The genie continued.

“Prismatic energies are a strong foe to battle. And... I have my answer. I meant you no harm, but I am what I am. The trial had to be passed; and it did”

The energy source dissipated as the genie came closer to a still surprised Xia.

“From this day on, you can call yourself a true summoner. Return to where you came from, for you journey has just began. And know that when the need arises... I will be one of the beings that will come to your aid as well. Farewell, child. And please, accept the gift from the Cave of Mysteries. You earned it.”


Before Xia could speak, the genie faded before her, as swiftly as he had appeared. But as he faded, at the same time something started to materialise where he stood. And as the shape completely formed, the young summoner realised what it was... and the excitment came back.

A staff. A summoner's staff.

She picked it up. This time it didn't faded. And the energy that flowed through her felt stronger than ever.

Xia smiled all the way back home. She knew the tales were true before starting her journey, and she had a staff to prove it. And deep within, she knew the genie was right too.

Her true journey had just begun.

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8 comments
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Hi pardinus,

This post has been upvoted by the Curie community curation project and associated vote trail as exceptional content (human curated and reviewed). Have a great day :)

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(Edited)

Wow I am very attracted to the story, the way it is so detailed and with a great fiction style! I love it

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Thank you for the feedback! It's great to read people actually read and like the story 🙂👍

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Incredible story. I love the way it flows and keeps on wanting to read more. Well done, @pardinus! 😎

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This contest is a good way of exploring my creative side :) Thanks for the feedback!

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