1. |
The Village Of Toolief
02:37
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Home. That is what the villagers of Toolief call it. It’s a little village where flowers grow high and crops grow strong. The sun always shines bright, without clouds to interrupt. Toolief is a small village southwest of Zalthearia. There are no strangers in this small farming village. A lot of the families have been here for generations, everyone knows one another, and they are happy. As if they are all one big happy family. Toolief is their home.
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2. |
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Working in the fields is just the daily routine for the young man Cullen. When Cullen wasn’t slaving away in the fields, he was working up a sweat in the vegetable garden. If the sun was up, he was up, he enjoys the work. It keeps him healthy and strong for the young age of eighteen. His grandfather would always meet up with him later in the morning, it took him longer to get out of bed. He did his “getting up with the sun” days when he was a young boy. Now he enjoys relaxing, smoking his pipe, and teaching his grandson all he needs to know about growing and keeping his land healthy. But today, his grandfather never came outside, and Cullen couldn’t smell his tobacco smoke in the air. After giving his grandfather a few more minutes than usual, Cullen went to see what was keeping him.
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3. |
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Cullen rushed inside, “Grandfather?” He shouted as he searched throughout the cabin. There he was, about to make his morning tea. He was still, as if he was frozen in time, with a red aura around him. Cullen crept around to see his grandfather; his eyes were wide with fear. “Grandfather... what is this?”
Smoke crept into the cabin, forming a cloaked figure.
“I wish to claim what is mine!” Said the entity. “This man has taken something that rightfully belongs to me, and I wish to have it back. Bring me my dagger!”
“What dagger?” Cullen stuttered out.
“The last of the enchanted daggers! I’ve been searching many years for it.”
“Enchanted daggers? The ones from the old bedtime stories?” Cullen asks, he searches his grandfather’s eyes an answer.
“Your grandfather has a few secrets of his own, he used to work for the kingdom of Aleareon. Watchers of the seven blades. Until the blades were destroyed, but your grandfather took one and told the kingdom that they all had been destroyed. Now find it and take it to Aleareon to be enchanted once again. Then bring it to me. Do that and I’ll let him live. Refuse and I’ll take his life instead!” and just like that, the smoke vanished.
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4. |
Searching High And Low
03:22
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“Quick! I have to think. If I was the dagger where would I be?” Cullen asked himself as he looked right at his grandfather. His grandfather was moving his eyes very quickly, as if he was pointing up with them. “Upstairs!” Cullen shouted as his grandfather was moving his eyes up and down answering him. Cullen quickly ran to the second floor. Going through every nook and cranny of the cabin. He searched everywhere, leaving nothing unturned, he threw open his grandfather’s closet door, all the way in the back covered with other boxes and blankets, he found a chest. Coated with dust and cobwebs, you could barely tell what shade of blue the chest actually was. He picked it up and gently placed it in the middle of the floor. He was anxious, to what he would find when he opened the chest. For no one has seen an enchanted dagger in many, many years, and for someone of his age to possibly have one place before him. Nervously he grabbed the lid with both hands and slowly lifted, a bright coral blue light shines up into his face. There it was, and it was beautiful. The last of the ... Enchanted daggers!
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5. |
Out For A Quest
06:29
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With the dagger at his side, he gathered up all he could. It was a two-day ride on horseback to get to Aleareon. He did not know that from experience, but from his grandfather’s stories. Now he thought to himself, how much of those stories were actually true, but he would have to get his answers another day. He grabbed his bag and ran down to his grandfather. “I will be back. I’m going to fix this. I promise!” and out the door he went. He ran to the horse stables as fast as he could, running right to his favorite horse. Emerald was his name, a big white horse with a beautiful black mane. He was a true friend to Cullen, even though...he was a horse. Cullen unlatched him and climbed upon his steed. “Onwards Emerald!” Cullen shouted as if he was going into battle. A battle of life or death!
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6. |
Lurking In The Shadows
05:47
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Cullen, rode for what felt like hours, following the trail that he hoped would lead him to Aleareon. As the day went on Cullen grew tired, he knew he was going to have to find a place to rest. His companion also was tired, in need of food and water. He could see a small riverbank and the edge of the forest waiting for him at the bottom of the hilly terrain he was descending. He figured that would be a good spot to rest the nice sound of the river flowing would be soothing, and Emerald would be able to get his share of refreshing water. They rode towards the hill bottom and to the riverbank. Emerald could see the water and bolted even faster, they pulled up to river and looked around. The water was about hip high, but that wasn’t stopping Emerald. They entered the water and walked through. The other side was flat and covered by trees, perfect for cover. Now all he had to do was set up his camp for the night.
A fire had been started and was burning hot, drying off Cullen’s clothes. He sat in his undergarments and watched the sun go down, soon the only light would be the fire below and the stars and moon above. It was peaceful, barely any wind the trees were silent. The firewood crackled and the river flowed, he could hear frogs and insects speaking to each other.
The sun was soon gone, the wind started to pick up and the tree began to shake, the flames in the fire danced toward the sky. Emerald started to get antsy, wanting to continue on the journey. Cullen was starting to get a little spooked, he heard twigs snapping behind him in the forest. He quickly grabbed the dagger and pulled it out of its sheath, shakily pointing it towards the tree line. Red eyes appeared in the darkness of the forest; three blood wolves jumped out towards him. Cullen’s eyes opened wide. He prepared to defend himself, then the dagger started to glow its magnificent blue once again. Cullen started slashing at the wolves, taking down the first one to lunge at him. Almost as if the dagger was guiding him, he continued to fight the beasts with the help of the dagger. The wolves noticed he was too strong. They snarled and fled back into the forest. Cullen was winded. He had never been in any type of fight, and if it wasn’t for the blade, he probably would have been their dinner. Our young friend was very tired and wished to rest before the long journey ahead, but he knew he’d have to sleep with one eye open.
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7. |
Resting For The Night
01:14
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The stars shine bright in the black sky. Cullen was laying on a fleece blanket he had brought from home, it was very lightweight, good for traveling. He was playing his little harp; he would play melodies that had been passed down from generation to generation. His grandfather taught him and one day he’ll teach his children, then his children’s children, but that was far from now. Cullen’s eyes became heavy. He knew it was time to sleep. Time to dream and see what tomorrow brings.
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8. |
Endless Dreams
05:34
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Bird were chirping as they fluttered by during on a warm summer day. The sun always seemed brighter back then. The sun rays shining down on their beautiful beaming faces. One of the things Cullen could never forget. They were always holding hands, never letting go. This is what happiness really looked like.
Then suddenly a black storm cloud rolled in! Rain, thunder and lightning shook the land. They let go of his hands as they pushed him inside for safety. The rain became thicker and thicker. “Mommy! Daddy!” Cullen shouted for them, pounding on the big wooded door. The rain was so loud and thick, covering up his screaming. He couldn’t see anything, and soon everything disappeared in the rain. “No!” he shouted.
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9. |
Be Gone Goblins!
01:42
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“Wake up!” Said an unfamiliar voice. “Wake up you little worm”. Cullen opened his eyes and saw he had three blades pointing at him, on the other side of the blades were ash goblins. Ugly to look at! He was surprised to see ash goblins in these parts. He was too scared to move, terrified for what could happen next.
“Who are you” Cullen asked with a jumpy sound to his voice.
“Never mind who we are.” Said one of the foul creatures. “We are here for the dagger. Our evil lord thinks you are up to no good. Hand it over!” Their blades kept creeping closer and closer to Cullen’s neck.
“Never!” Cullen kicked the goblins away grabbing the enchanted dagger and holding it at the ready. It started to glow once again ready to fight! The goblins jumped up and attacked Cullen, he swung the dagger all around. Fighting them off one by one, soon they were defeated. They were no match for the dagger. Cullen gathered up his things quickly, panic still in his bones. He climbed on to Emerald and rode away, leaving the goblins to rot there.
Unknown to Cullen, one of the goblins was still alive. He stood up and limped his way back to Parahell, to tell the evil wizard that Cullen was continuing onto Aleareon.
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10. |
Across Lands Unknown
02:34
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Emerald galloped through the trees, veering left and right to avoid hitting anything. The forest was thick with vegetation. The path was completely covered, but that wasn’t stopping Emerald. They could see snowy mountains in the distant, a beautiful view all around. Zalthearia was an amazing place, no matter where you were there was always a nice view. All new for Cullen, he was doing his best to take it all in while still trying to remain focused on the journey ahead of him.
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11. |
Kingdom Insight
03:16
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From where they were at now, they could see the forests horizon, the gates of Aleareon were shining into the sky. Like the kingdom, the bridge leading you in was completely made from crystals. It was one of the strongest materials in all the land. The dagger was also made from these crystals; but was forged differently than the bridge and castle because it was meant to hold the strongest spells casted on to it, and it was able to hold those enchantments like nothing ever before.
“We’re almost there Emerald! Ride! Ride!”
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12. |
At The Gates Of Aleareon
02:37
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They reached the glistening gates, so beautifully crafted, these gates were the only way in or out of Aleareon. The kingdom itself was surrounded by huge, jagged mountains. Two giant Guards stood at the base of the gate two times the size of our young traveler. Cullen stopped his steed and stared up at them. “I wish to get inside to the eternal water!”
“And why should we let you in?” Said the giant guard on the left. His voice echoed into the trees. “For you don’t even have any armor on. How did you even make it this far? The creatures are too strong for the likes of someone as small as you?”
Cullen pulled out the dagger and held it straight up. Pointed to the sky. The blade lighting up as bright as he’d seen it. The guards stepped back in total shock. They could not believe their eyes. “How?!” The other guard asked. “All the enchanted dagger we’re destroyed many moons ago!”
“I’m here to help. Before it ends up in evil hands. I too would like to prevent that from ever happening!” Cullen announced.
The guard looked at each other and then back to Cullen. They bowed as the gate opened behind them. “We cannot go against anyone who holds one of the enchanted daggers. For you rule over all!” The blade lit up so bright that all the people and creatures of Zalthearia could see it. Emerald stood on his back legs and neighed, Cullen beamed with pride, knowing he was truly the most powerful man in Zalthearia.
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13. |
Into The Eternal Water
03:42
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He rode down the crystallized pathway that led to the face of the castle. Up the stairs they climbed faster than a bolt of lightning. Just steps closer to saving the last he had of his family. Emerald kicked the door wide open and Cullen held up his weapon of mighty magic. Lighting the crystal walls once again, there in the middle of the big open room was the fountain of eternal water. It contained the strongest magic of all time, but the water was too powerful for just normal weapons made from steel. Only a natural crystal from the grounds of Zalthearia could hold this power; the enchantment from the water could break or completely destroy any spell casted, and it gave the blade a life of its own making it the ultimate weapon.
Cullen jumped off his horse and ran to the water, the dagger glowed so bright it was almost blinding. He threw his hand, holding the dagger, into the eternal water. A huge blue beam of light shot straight up to sky. The last of the enchanted daggers was complete once again!
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14. |
Returning Home
01:39
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“With this enchanted dagger, I can break the spell binding my grandfather and I vow to keep it out of evil’s hands. Zalthearia will be safe again!”
To Be Continued…
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