Fantastical Tales

Key to Ardencia

It was pitch black. Alex glanced around her, but couldn't find any source of light. It felt like she was floating in empty space. She could tell that an eternity in darkness awaited her. And that frightened her.

She tried to move, only to find that she had no control over her body. She couldn't even see it. Everything was lost to the dark.

Before she could panic, a flash of light blinded her. For a while, she could see nothing but the flash. When her eyes adjusted, she saw a golden phoenix. She recognized it from a book she read a long time ago.

The bird bowed its head towards Alex. It spoke. "Alexandra Eldridge. You have been called to return to the land Ardencia. They need your guidance."

"Of course, Pyralis. But I am confined to this mundane world. How can I return to my people?" Alex was confused. It was her voice, but she hadn't even thought of saying those words.. This wasn't her talking, but... something told her that it was.

"You are going to a new school, aren't you? You will meet someone there who holds the key to your return. But hurry. Ryoto has broken his ancient bonds. It won't be long before he has enough strength to destroy the cosmere." Pyralis's golden eyes bored into Alex's soul. She felt stunned. Her conscience told her that this was a very important being. Definitely not someone she should question.

Alex's head nodded slowly. "I understand the danger. I will return as quickly as possible."

"Please do. Remember, look for the light."

Alex felt her heart swell with determination, though she wasn't quite sure why. "Look for the light." She repeated.

Crash! Alex bolted upright, then rubbed her eyes. Glancing around her room, she found her little brothers, Kaleb, Cooper, and Quinn, standing next to her bed. Kaleb and Cooper held two pans, poised to crash against each other. Quinn stood off to the side. His hand was over his mouth to stifle his giggling.

"What exactly are you doing?" Alex swung herself out of bed, and towered over the triplets.

Kaleb grinned. "Mom told us to wake you up!"

Cooper shrugged. "And she didn't tell us how."

Quinn, still fighting back giggles, shuffled closer. "Sorry."

Alex sighed. "She probably didn't mean for you to wake me up like that."

All three of them nodded, though in varying degrees of enthusiasm. Alex motioned for them to leave. Kaleb and Cooper ran out, bantering about their success. Quinn hugged Alex's leg, then ran to join his brothers.

After shutting her door, Alex sat down on her bed with a plop. What exactly was that? She had heard that dreams are usually inspired by something that had happened the previous day, but as far as she knew, her day hadn't involved empty space or a phoenix. Ah well. Maybe this was just an anomaly. She pushed herself up to stand, then began getting ready for her first day at Northwood High School.