Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

The Lost kingdom

Once upon a time, in a land shrouded in the mists of legend and time, there existed a kingdom known to all but seen by none. It was the Lost Kingdom Eldoria, a place of enchantment and mystery, where time itself lay dormant, and the days of old lingered like a haunting melody. The tale of this kingdom was passed down through generations, whispered as nothing more than a bedtime story to ignite the imaginations of children. Yet, for twins Beck and Calla, the legend was about to become a startling reality.

Beck, with his gentle demeanor and a heart as fragile as the morning dew, contrasted starkly with his sister Calla, whose spirit was as wild as the winds that raced across their father's vast fields. They were as different as night and day, yet bound by an unbreakable twin connection.

One fateful day, as they were racing their horses through the uncharted woods beyond their home, a strange fog descended upon them, thick and impenetrable. It was in this bewildering haze that they stumbled upon the unimaginable—a towering gate wrought from vines and flowers, pulsating with an ethereal glow. It was the threshold to the Lost Kingdom.

As they passed through the gate, time stretched and twisted around them. When the mist cleared, they found themselves in a world untouched by time, where the air shimmered with magic, and the colors were more vivid than any they had ever seen. The kingdom was alive, yet it was held in a silent thrall.

The twins learned that the kingdom was bound by a powerful curse, cast by a vengeful sorcerer who had been wronged by the king. The only way to break the curse was to complete three perilous trials, each guarded by creatures of legend and lore.

As Beck and Calla ventured deeper into the heart of Eldoria, they witnessed the people of the kingdom were all around them, frozen in time like statues carved from living stone. There was a blacksmith, mid-swing with his hammer poised above the anvil; a group of children, caught in a moment of laughter and play; a young couple, their hands almost touching in a tender embrace.

The stillness was profound, a silence that spoke of interrupted lives and unfulfilled dreams. The twins felt the weight of the curse that held these people captive, and it stirred something deep within their hearts—a fierce determination to restore the kingdom to its former glory.

Calla, who had always been the more headstrong of the two, felt a surge of resolve. She looked upon the faces of the frozen people and saw in them the same spirit that burned within her—a spirit that yearned for freedom and the wild joy of life. Beck, with his gentle soul, was moved by the quiet sorrow of the scene. He saw the beauty in the stillness, but more than that, he saw the promise of what could be—a kingdom alive with the sounds of work and play, of love and laughter.

Together, they made a silent vow. They would not leave Eldoria to the mercy of time and legend. They would face whatever trials lay ahead, conquer whatever fears lurked in the shadows of their own hearts. They would free these people, these kindred spirits trapped in a moment not of their choosing.

Beck and Calla first faced the Trial of Courage. In the heart of a mountain that pierced the skies, they found the lair of Pyraethus, the dragon of Eldoria. The cavern was a cathedral of stone, lit by the glow of molten lava that flowed like rivers of fire. Pyraethus lay coiled atop a hoard of treasures that sparkled with the promise of a thousand dreams. The air was thick with heat and the scent of brimstone.

To pass this trial, they had to pluck a single scale from the dragon's hide—a scale that shimmered with a light that was not of this world. As they approached, Pyraethus stirred, its eyes opening to reveal depths of ancient knowledge and power. Beck, trembling but resolute, stepped forward, his hand guided by an unseen force. Calla stood by him, her presence a silent pillar of strength. With a courage born of pure intent, Beck reached out and touched the dragon's hide. Pyraethus, recognizing the valor in their hearts, bowed its great head and allowed the scale to be taken.

Next was the Trial of Wisdom. Their destination, the Enchanted Library was a labyrinth of towering shelves, where books bound in enchanted leather fluttered their pages, eager to share their secrets. The Keeper of Tomes, a wizened figure cloaked in robes of shifting letters, posed a riddle that echoed through the endless rows of knowledge:

"I am not alive, yet I grow; I don't have lungs, yet I need air; I don't have a mouth, yet water kills me. What am I?"

Beck and Calla pondered the riddle, their minds weaving through possibilities as the books whispered hints in their ears. It was Beck who realized the answer first, his voice soft but sure as he spoke the word: "Fire." The Keeper nodded, and the path forward opened to them, the books parting like a sea of wisdom.

The final trial, the Trial of Heart, took place in the Garden of Reflection. The Garden of Reflection was a place of surreal beauty, where flowers bloomed with the light of stars and the air hummed with the power of raw emotion. Here, the twins faced the manifestations of their innermost fears and desires. Beck's fear materialized as a shadowy figure, whispering doubts and insecurities that threatened to overwhelm him. Calla's desire took the form of a mirror that showed her a life where she was revered and loved by all.

They realized that to pass this trial, they had to confront and accept these parts of themselves. Beck faced his shadow, speaking words of acceptance and understanding, acknowledging his worth beyond his fears. Calla shattered the mirror, understanding that true acceptance comes from within and not from the adulation of others. As they overcame their trials, the garden blossomed anew, signifying the breaking of the curse.

Through courage, wisdom, and heart, Beck and Calla triumphed over each trial. With the curse lifted, the kingdom stirred to life, its people awakening as if from a deep slumber. Time resumed its march, and the kingdom rejoined the world from which it had been severed.

The twins returned home, forever changed by their adventure. They had freed a kingdom, but more importantly, they had discovered the depths of their own spirits and the unshakable love they shared as brother and sister. And so, the legend of the Lost Kingdom was no longer just a story—it was a testament to the courage and bond of two extraordinary siblings, Beck and Calla, who had turned myth into history.