--HIGHEST RANKING: #89 in fantasy--
When a farmer girl, Astella, is captured by a group of local bandits, she finds a stone along with her. Smooth, round, and an ombré of red, orange and yellow, she gets easily attracted.But, this is no ordinary stone, it's a Phoenix's egg, and according to an ancient prophecy as old as we can remember, she is destined to hatch it, and stop demons from wreaking havoc.
Discovering the secrets of magic, Astella, must learn more of the prophecy. But doubtful as it stood, a clueless mountain girl and a Phoenix egg wouldn't be able to figure it out.
from the scraps of information she has, all she knows is she must stop the banished demons and their ruthful queen Samoria, from entering the earthen realm once again, and taking over the earth from the nightmare depths of hell, or all oblivion will spill. Strange phenomena are happening all over, and no one knows what to do.
The fate is all in her hands. Can she do this alone? Will Astella dabble in adventure, with the threat of death, but save the world, or will she watch as it perishes, razed in total annihilation?
**SHORTLISTED - ONC2024**
Prompt: "Fairytales are real" and there couldn't be anything worse."
"Hi, my name is Rue, and my fairytale is worse than Cinderella's and Snow White's.
In "The Worst Fairytale," I, Rue, dive headfirst into an adventure that twists the classic fairytale into something dark, thrilling, and utterly enchanting. Tasked with rescuing my grandmother, I find myself in a world filled with deceitful and magical creatures, including the tiny, troublesome fae and their captivating king.
Navigating a realm where beauty masks danger, I discover unsettling truths about myself and the fae that blur the lines between heroes and villains. With each encounter, the distinctions between ally and adversary fade, challenging my every conviction.
Join me on this journey of love, betrayal, and redemption, where my mission to save my grandmother might cost me more than I'm willing to sacrifice. Will I manage to outwit the villains and perhaps share a dance with the mysterious Fae King, or will this story spiral into my deepest fears? Delve into "The Worst Fairytale" to discover if I can forge my own happy ending in a world that defies all expectations."
**** ONC 2024 Entry ****