The Last Light Of Sundown

The Key

I was running out of time. The letter said I only have until sundown, and that was only a few hours away. I had to find the key which they said would unlock the ancient chest buried deep in the woods. It was the only thing that could save my town from the mysterious force that had been creeping closer each day.

The Faded Map

With the letter was an old, faded map with markings that barely made any sense. But I had no choice. I needed to follow it. I grabbed my bag, which contained a flashing light, a water bottle, and a small knife my dad had given me for emergencies. The sun was already dipping down in the sky.

The woods were dense, and I had put aside the branches and found my way through them. The noises of the forest grew louder as I went deeper, birds were calling, leaves rustling, and the faint howl of a wolf.

Search for the mark

My heart was beating in my chest as I started to search for the spot “X” on the map. There was nothing but a large twisted tree with huge roots. I searched around, but I could not find anything. Time was slipping away. The sun was sinking faster and deeper.

Just when I was about to give up, I noticed a strange carving on the tree – a symbol that matched the one on the map. My fingers started trembling when I traced it, and a piece of bark shifted, revealing a hidden keyhole. I took out the key from my pocket, hoping that it would fit in the strange, small keyhole.

The Entrance

With a deep breath, I inserted the key in the lock with my eyes closed. Suddenly, the ground beneath me began to shake. The roots of the tree pulled the tree upwards, and the darkness spread over. The ancient chest was hidden right in front of the entrance of the chamber.

I turned on my flashlight and began to descend, each step echoing in the narrow passage. The air grew colder, my heart beating loudly out of fear. But, I could not turn back now as the fate of my town rested on what I would find inside.

The Crystal

Finally, I reached the end and found myself in a small, stone room. The chest was in the centre, ancient and covered in dust. I approached it slowly, my hands shaking as I lifted the lid. Inside, glowing faintly, was a crystal. The light emitted was warm, and as I held it up, I felt a surge of energy and hope.

Footsteps

But then I heard it – the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. I wasn’t alone. I spun around, clutching the crystal tightly. A shadow moved at the edge of the passage. My flashlight flickered. “Who’s there?” I called out, my voice shaky but firm.

The Test

From the darkness stepped a tall figure, cloaked in black. The face was hidden, but I could feel their eyes on me. “You found it,” they said, voice low and cold. “But it doesn’t belong to you.”

“I need it to save my town,” I said, stepping back.

The figure moved closer. “Then prove you are worthy.”

Suddenly, the crystal pulsed in my hand, sending a light wave. The figure stopped, shielded the face, and vanished into smoke.

Silence fell.

I held the crystal to my chest. The ground stopped shaking. The passage brightened. I knew now, I had passed the test.

The Town Would Be Safe

And with the crystal in hand, I climbed back to the surface, the night’s  blinking above the trees. The town would be safe.

***

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