The air is ice cold around me as I dig my fingers into the soft dirt. This is the spot, it has to be. Old madam Lizanne swore by it the last time I went to her shop. Her words remain locked in my mind, set on replay like a broken record playing the sweetest tune of hope, and I grasped it with both hands. 501Please respect copyright.PENANAZAQniSFth1
501Please respect copyright.PENANAHcvYehbl7b
501Please respect copyright.PENANABXHxTASfHb
501Please respect copyright.PENANA9pC8uulTu6
No matter how far fetched it seemed at the time, I'd do anything to achieve my dream. "Go to the forest at midnight, dear boy," She told me, her wrinkled hands clasping a large velvet bag. "there you will find an old oak tree. You must use your bare hands to dig to the root that calls you. Once you find it, place these objects beside the root and bury them." 501Please respect copyright.PENANAlyKd1QD3MS
501Please respect copyright.PENANAthyDgdCLZs
501Please respect copyright.PENANASeWDqolXrP
501Please respect copyright.PENANAwv6C5Tt20K
She thrusts the bag into my hands. I grip it tight, pulling it away but her hands remain wrapped around the thin rope knotted at the top. She turns her wise, hazel eyes towards me and says, "Once the root is covered, you will start to fall asleep. Lay facing north and when you wake, the fae will come." 501Please respect copyright.PENANA45BXt6Bs8g
501Please respect copyright.PENANAPhOpiLccjT
501Please respect copyright.PENANA0CQK3XhTSu
501Please respect copyright.PENANAJi3IXEXMFK
So here I am, digging a hole in the middle of the forest, looking for God knows what. I dig for about an hour, my body feeling exhausted from all the manual labour I'm not accustomed to. Oh well, you gotta do what you gotta do to get to where you want to be in life, at least she didn't tell me to murder anyone or summon a demon in a witches circle or something like that.501Please respect copyright.PENANA7cjM01wXmy
501Please respect copyright.PENANAmFaM6aBWMG
501Please respect copyright.PENANAfrHGYu3g2t
501Please respect copyright.PENANAvvKwghDqwA
Eventually, I push into something solid. I gently wipe away the sand to expose a large root. I squint my eyes, not believing the glow emanating from the dark brown soil as I study the odd looking wood.501Please respect copyright.PENANAnBg0l3cdJR
501Please respect copyright.PENANA3fv1ND6vhs
501Please respect copyright.PENANAtViBO5pfRa
501Please respect copyright.PENANAdXwOPwelAJ
I quickly open the bag, taking out each object one at a time and placing it next the root that, I assume, is calling to me. I place a small animal's skull, a few sharks teeth, a bag of herbs and another smaller pouch filled with crystals in the hole and cover it up. 501Please respect copyright.PENANAOY0dk9fbFr
501Please respect copyright.PENANA2fYc3NPO60
501Please respect copyright.PENANAQuMShbvljT
501Please respect copyright.PENANAZW0o5bEhOm
Once everything is buried, I take out my compass to ensure I was laying in the correct direction, lay my head on the cool grass and close my eyes, allowing my fatigued body to finally rest.501Please respect copyright.PENANAZmuhRO8vpo
501Please respect copyright.PENANA4c62M40UOy
501Please respect copyright.PENANAdl25zwvUVL
501Please respect copyright.PENANA5SAZYor30z
Moments later, my eyes fly open. I'm greeted with nothing but darkness and the feeling of damp soil under my hands. Immediately I start to panic, sure that something's gone horribly wrong when suddenly I hear a light, melodic voice and instantly a wave of calmness washes over me.501Please respect copyright.PENANAhIijZp0WUA
501Please respect copyright.PENANAmPukWPMpNP
501Please respect copyright.PENANAwpLdFGozGX
501Please respect copyright.PENANAS1JZs6zo7g
"Hello, Jonathan. I've been waiting for you." Immediately as she speaks, the small room is lit up by thousands of fireflies. Only then do I lay eyes on the beautiful creature who spoke.501Please respect copyright.PENANADN3JxHZg8v
501Please respect copyright.PENANAcNBEXvfbys
501Please respect copyright.PENANAqVfivjdyRR
501Please respect copyright.PENANANmk5AOfc5Y
Her hair is bright violet, falling to her waist in large, thick curls. Butterflies and flowers of all different kids are woven around her stark naked body along vines. Her light blue skin is complimented by her bright green eyes. In short, she's the most beautiful creature I've ever seen. 501Please respect copyright.PENANAlGbNOdjhww
501Please respect copyright.PENANAPnteP7l5ur
501Please respect copyright.PENANAWD9Khy1vCh
501Please respect copyright.PENANAhLRXSe5dba
She smiles and walks forward, placing one hand on my cheek. "What is it that you seek, my child?" I gulp, trying to find the words to speak. This is it, this is really happening. I wet my lips, take a deep breath and look into her eyes. "I want to be the most talented artist to ever live." 501Please respect copyright.PENANA1nBzplN3YV
501Please respect copyright.PENANALUKDX6Qv95
501Please respect copyright.PENANABwi4qrkvhm
501Please respect copyright.PENANA9M6xTSHmDY
She smiles and drops her hand before turning around and walking to the centre of the small room. "Your wish is my command." She tells me before facing me again. "There is just one thing you must do for me first." 501Please respect copyright.PENANAxUPu9Hy6Ae
501Please respect copyright.PENANAyaRKAI8v1V
501Please respect copyright.PENANAT1DpZ0Lg1P
501Please respect copyright.PENANARWZMz6XuY8
My heart starts hammering in my chest, excitement building as I take two quick steps towards her. "Anything! I'll do anything, just tell me." She waves her hand above her head and four doors appear behind her.501Please respect copyright.PENANA0hZinvkRCF
501Please respect copyright.PENANANaDLJkDrdd
501Please respect copyright.PENANA0SKmVMEGsb
501Please respect copyright.PENANAAkjWExgfw0
"You have a choice to make. To get your gift, your intentions need to be pure, your heart, needs to be pure. You have four powerful artifacts, one of them is the key to the door that'll lead you to your wish. Each door will lead you down a different passage, only one of them holds what you desire at the end. If you choose incorrectly, I must warn you, the consequences are dire. Choose wisely, my child. You have two attempts."501Please respect copyright.PENANAFJGY4MV9sR
501Please respect copyright.PENANAMHyoHmyUNu
501Please respect copyright.PENANAhHt0V9WAbq
501Please respect copyright.PENANAL7354akfCx
In a blink of an eye she disappears and I'm left holding the same bag I buried at the root, except this time, I assume they hold the four artifacts. I lay the bag down on the floor and undo the knot, excited to see what these keys are. 501Please respect copyright.PENANA2pEa1k8chw
501Please respect copyright.PENANAr41DqAb6th
501Please respect copyright.PENANAatOIEkWkBd
501Please respect copyright.PENANAIZeBm8ydXp
One is a set of earplugs, or at least, that's what I think they are. They're shaped the same except for the two sharp thorns on each small, yellow bud. Well, those can't be of use, I'm sure. 501Please respect copyright.PENANAFVofUo6oyW
501Please respect copyright.PENANAHEG2Dw5rBi
501Please respect copyright.PENANAplEQR67YCs
501Please respect copyright.PENANAMvLOyd7M9w
I set them aside and pull out a large golden hammer with green jewels arranged neatly along the wide handle. The weight of it sets me off balance and I drop it quickly onto the floor next to the earplugs.501Please respect copyright.PENANAsU7SAHzU5o
501Please respect copyright.PENANAwFaXqUVy0n
501Please respect copyright.PENANA4P588AXNyJ
501Please respect copyright.PENANApdRq27ElD5
Next, I find a pair of gloves. Made from the finest silk, they're softer than any material I've ever come across. I carefully place it on my left hand and find that the inside is laced with leather. I have no idea how this could help either.501Please respect copyright.PENANAvMHPAEEwgD
501Please respect copyright.PENANAKDVAE8CV0Q
501Please respect copyright.PENANA4nCpReBNG5
501Please respect copyright.PENANAcqYkoqF64N
I pull the glove off, fold both neatly and lay them down, eager to pull out the last object. Finally, I pull out a large book. A book? How could this possibly be a key for anything? I pick it up and run my finger along the leather binding. No doubt it's old, but what does it say? I start pulling at the belt-like buckle keeping the book shut tight, and stop. Wait, I should look at the doors and asses each before interacting with the keys too much.501Please respect copyright.PENANAIjRmSwDI3v
501Please respect copyright.PENANAofFPC4IQFo
501Please respect copyright.PENANAdusFn5gJar
501Please respect copyright.PENANAP10AGLeO6Z
I stand up and brush the dirt off my pants before standing in front of all four doors. They don't look dangerous, but something deep inside warns me not to take this situation lightly. I bite down on my lower lip as I let my eyes settle on the first door to my left. 501Please respect copyright.PENANAnt4koagVBf
501Please respect copyright.PENANAkQDukcFidJ
501Please respect copyright.PENANAwqqZRXURZQ
501Please respect copyright.PENANAm5qqskiHZf
Well, it looks pretty harmless. It looks like it's made purely of rose quartz. I walk up to it until I'm standing inches away. The first thing I notice is the smell. It smells like candy floss! It instantly reminds me of the many festivals my mother would take us to as kids, where we'd spend the day stuffing ourselves with all things sweet as we tried out every children's ride available. 501Please respect copyright.PENANATPcV8fEQS0
501Please respect copyright.PENANAQlWE1Ahpyg
501Please respect copyright.PENANA3Nb9pOgoFT
501Please respect copyright.PENANA3UcetvLcUD
It brings back many happy memories, but the one thing throwing me off is the intense heat radiating from the door. I didn't even realize that I'd started sweating until I felt a drop slowly slip down the side of my face. 501Please respect copyright.PENANAw8z4IxffMO
501Please respect copyright.PENANAOFF8PTV95G
501Please respect copyright.PENANAG0DEVmbOsJ
501Please respect copyright.PENANAwaED19J711
I step back, moving onto the next door. This one is covered in bright green vines, I shrug and move closer. The closer I get, the more I'm sure I hear something coming from behind the door. As soon as I'm standing right in front of it, I let my hand hover over the green vines. Well, at least this one isn't insanely hot. Satisfied that I won't be burned the moment I touch it, I press my ear against the door and listen.501Please respect copyright.PENANA68Rq1495fz
501Please respect copyright.PENANAZe8oKG6lRC
501Please respect copyright.PENANAM94Qbqoewn
501Please respect copyright.PENANAQkYVzfe08M
The moment I do this, the most beautiful melody starts playing on a piano. I listen quietly as the tune changes and goes on to play something I'm very familiar with. It's the same tune my sister would hum to me as a small child when I couldn't sleep. I smile and lean back with a smile. Yeah, I hope it's this one. Before moving to the next, I glance towards the top of the green door and spot the initials K.N engraved on a golden plaque. 501Please respect copyright.PENANAKBHuLYQ0vA
501Please respect copyright.PENANAw9CkaR3Kam
501Please respect copyright.PENANAc3PHp8u1Nr
501Please respect copyright.PENANAHnFU6wH2CP
I think nothing of it as I move onto the second last door. This one is simple, there's no music coming from behind the door, no smell of candy floss or anything like that. It's just a simple door that looks like it's been made of solid gold. The main thing I notice that sets it apart from the rest, is the lack of a handle. Where the others had round, brass knobs, this one has a little golden bell. 501Please respect copyright.PENANAoxGjjXIBH9
501Please respect copyright.PENANAdTK5xFPrR3
501Please respect copyright.PENANAB5Fj1uC9NH
501Please respect copyright.PENANA0Ela4CHhqi
Slowly I make my way to the final door. This one is further away from the others and made up of nothing more than wood and bright red paint. I walk forward, examining it closely. I place one finger on the hard wood and look down, shocked at what I see. The red on the door which I assumed was paint, looks more to me like blood. I quickly wipe the sticky substance off on my jeans and walk over to the artifacts. 501Please respect copyright.PENANA4gEPlnxC9F
501Please respect copyright.PENANAhVKj1RwKIN
501Please respect copyright.PENANAzdvZyLQ6g9
501Please respect copyright.PENANAPMxiKLvZJx
She said I had two chances, right? I think the most logical thing to try first would be the gloves on the hot door. That seems to be the most logical choice, the door is hot, the glove should protect my hand, right? Right.501Please respect copyright.PENANA12gz34YXUh
501Please respect copyright.PENANAWWskpu45M6
501Please respect copyright.PENANAVm6pVU82ZW
501Please respect copyright.PENANANwicMRQnbR
I slip both white gloves on quickly before flexing my fingers. I must admit, they're quite comfortable and look quite strong, so they should prevent the heat from seeping through.501Please respect copyright.PENANA2DADFUGoQL
501Please respect copyright.PENANAEAjWlSLAKc
501Please respect copyright.PENANA8jiUDMjCyS
501Please respect copyright.PENANApLsa4rBxpn
I walk over to the pink door and place my hand on the doorknob. As soon as I grip it tightly, my hand starts to burn. I open my mouth and scream out in pain as I try to let go, but for some reason my hand won't move. The smell of candy floss and burnt flesh fills the air around me as I continue to scream in agony. Eventually I manage to pull my hand out of the glove and watch in horror as it melts onto the door handle, sizzling as the once beautiful material glues itself onto the brass.501Please respect copyright.PENANAO3Mh7YfAMt
501Please respect copyright.PENANA9H5S4bLwZY
501Please respect copyright.PENANAmj0hdrY1AS
501Please respect copyright.PENANAicydIhwan0
Taking off my shirt, I wrap it around my blistering hand and look to the other artifacts, now eager to get out of here whether I get what I came for or not. I grab the hammer in my other hand and walk towards the red door, even if it's covered in blood, it should still break into pieces if I knock this thing into it. I heave it up and over my shoulder, sweating as I slowly walk towards the door. 501Please respect copyright.PENANAqKzd57LbXk
501Please respect copyright.PENANAdsqypP2TCn
501Please respect copyright.PENANAef5VqDz8fh
501Please respect copyright.PENANA6HKMTGj6Fd
The second I get there I swing the hammer back and bring it down onto the door, ignoring the cries of pain from my body. I fall back as the door splinters. Yes! This must be it! I leave the hammer laying where it is and pull at the splintered wood until there's just enough space for me to squeeze through. Once I'm through, I find myself in a long, dark tunnel. The only light being the lit torches set on either side of the stone walls. 501Please respect copyright.PENANAmBE1SJ81hw
501Please respect copyright.PENANA4aisaLHlSf
501Please respect copyright.PENANApEQzCkndIk
501Please respect copyright.PENANA9V7mE7VKvu
She never told me what to do once I got to the other side of the door, so I follow my instincts and run as fast as I can. Giving my adrenaline a chance to shine as I dash down the quiet underground passage. After running for what feels like hours I come to yet another door. I open it quickly and come face to face with the fae I saw earlier. 501Please respect copyright.PENANARqdd9aMslW
501Please respect copyright.PENANAoPNRKt90A4
501Please respect copyright.PENANApGltRwbZ0O
501Please respect copyright.PENANAVainMUZQ9O
Except this time, her purple hair is thin and frayed, her large green eyes have been replaced with dark, emotionless marbles of black. She looks to me and smiles, but instead of feeling calm like before, a feeling of dread washes over me. She opens her mouth and I wait, staring at the terrifying woman, hoping that she's about to tell me that this was all a joke, that I won and I get my wish, but instead she just throws her head back and starts laughing. 501Please respect copyright.PENANAn6rxShISwP
501Please respect copyright.PENANAGHU1LN5fkl
501Please respect copyright.PENANANJ42ex871Z
501Please respect copyright.PENANA9gUMOGYDwJ
The deep maniacal laughter sends shivers down my spine as she blinks twice and stops laughing. She leans closer to me, and I find myself paralyzed by fear as she whispers. "Run." I waste no time turning around, eager to get away from this hellish nightmare when I run straight into the door. I try the handle again, only to find it locked. I turn back around, flattening myself into the door as much as I can as the creature slowly stalks towards me. 501Please respect copyright.PENANAFYmbDpkNc3
501Please respect copyright.PENANAVV6qW4bzEW
501Please respect copyright.PENANAwKRoIX3y1Q
501Please respect copyright.PENANArplL279OLY
"You failed, my child, and now you're mine." Those were the last words I heard before she rushed towards me and everything went black.
arrow_back
The Fae's Request
more_vert
-
info_outline Info
-
toc Table of Contents
-
share Share
-
format_color_text Display Settings
-
exposure_plus_1 Recommend
-
Sponsor
-
report_problem Report
-
account_circle Login
Search stories, writers or societies
Continue ReadingClear All
What Others Are ReadingRefresh
X
Never miss what's happening on Penana!
The Fae's Request
Author:
Nixi
ISSUE #1
The Fae's Request
LIKES 0
READS 497
BOOKMARKS 2
campaign
Request update 0
Sponsor
Suggest Edits
Login with Facebook
or Sign up/Login to comment or bookmark!
Click to load the next chapter
X
After each update request, the author will receive a notification!
smartphone100 → Request update
X
Sponsor again
Click to login
Login first to show your name as a sponsor.
Thank you for supporting the story! :)
Please Login first.
×
Write down what you like about the story
×
Reading Theme:
Font Size:
Line Spacing:
Paragraph Spacing:
Load the next issue automatically
Reset to default
×
People Who Like This