Once upon a time, there lived an evil witch. She lived in a forest in a magic kingdom called Eurthalia, and her hut was the size of a cottage house, rising up on stilts that made it look like it was growing from the ground. Her wavy hair fell to her waist, streaked with grey. Her lips were dark as night, and the pupils of her eyes were black pits. She was cruel and conniving with a heart as black as the night sky, and her powers were beyond the comprehension of mere mortals. The witch had woven a powerful spell that caused the creatures of the forest to bow down to her. Fear and terror filled the air when anyone ventured into the dark wood, for it was said that the witch was seen as a powerful goddess among its denizens. Her presence alone caused them to bow at the mere sight of her, and all who crossed her path were met with trembling respect.
Far in the distance, the clink of metal and the sound of hooves grew louder. The knight's warhorse stamped his impatience to be away as he donned his spiffy new steel armor and mounted up. The knight set forth, searching valiantly for someone both willing and able to overthrow her dark enchantment. He had heard rumors that a boy had faced so many challenges already in his short life without becoming embittered or jaded. Because of this resilience, the knight felt sure that he would be the right person to help defeat the witch. He set off to a small village where the boy lived.
The road was long and winding, but it was lined with people who peered into the forest as he rode through the village. They spoke in hushed tones of this legend who had overcome resilience and bravery greater than any adult. Everyone pointed him in the same direction: towards a small cottage with a thatched roof - like thousands of others across the country - standing proud on its grassy knoll.
A stocky man with brown hair answered the door, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He stepped back in surprise when he saw the knight standing before him, clad in shining steel armor and a red cape. The knight bowed his head respectfully and spoke. "Excuse me, I am looking for a boy who is braver than any adult, more resilient than anyone else. The villagers have pointed me in this direction."
The man pulled the door open and welcomed his unexpected guest inside. He cupped his hands around his mouth and called out to the upper floor, "Tommy! Get yourself down here! Someone's here to see you!" Moments later, a small figure appeared at the top of the stairs. Tommy descended them two at a time and entered the lounge where the knight was standing, resplendent in their armor. The man beamed proudly at Tommy and said, "Ahh, so this must be the boy I've heard so much about - the one who's braver than any adult." Tommy blushed as he nervously met the knight's gaze and stammered, "Y-yes sir."
"Well, look here, young fellow, my kingdom desperately needs your help, and I've come to ask you to help myself and my army defeat the evil witch of Eurthalia."
Tommy didn't know what he was hearing at first. Then he looked at his dad, who nodded eagerly. Tommy and the knight made their way through the forest, stopping only to rest and tend to their horses at night. They ate dried meat and bread from their packs, drank water from their flasks. When they had to cross rivers or ponds, they did so slowly, trying not to stir up the mud of the deep banks. While they traveled, the knight told Tommy stories of his last mission with his fellow knights, fighting the witch. He told him about battles fought and won, and how they eventually had her cornered in a dark castle in the middle of a stormy night. But despite their best efforts, they were still no match for her magical powers.
The week-long journey had finally come to an end as the party of three drew nearer and nearer to Eurthalia, until the dark fortress walls loomed before them. Tommy peered up and caught a glimpse of the witch atop one of the towers - she seemed to be waiting for them. The knight dismounted from his horse and readied his sword. The heat of the day was so oppressive that the witch was hoping they would melt into the earth. She looked at Tommy and watched as he reached inside his belt and pulled out a special charm that glowed bright orange in his hand. It radiated with a searing light that filled the air around them. Then, as soon as he held it up towards the sky, a ray of sunlight shone down onto him, enveloping him in its warmth and light.
The witch saw this blazing light and tried frantically to repel it, but it was so forceful and overpowered her own enchantments. However, she was no match for the powerful courage and determination that burned within Tommy's heart. Finally, she gave in to defeat and disappeared before their eyes, leaving behind only a shimmering cloud of silver dust which glittered like starlight before disappearing completely into thin air.
The villagers laughed and smiled as they walked down the street. The air smelled of sawdust, fresh lumber, and cedar bark. The sounds were nothing but cheerful chatter, the creak of wagon wheels, and the clip-clop-clip of the horses' hooves on the hard dry ground. People pointed at young Tommy and the small army led by the knight; they told stories about how they had rescued Eurthalia from The Witch who had plagued the land for years. In whispers, they spoke about what the brave child had managed to do despite his age, how his daring deed overcame death and darkness even in this modern day and age.
THE END!
