Alma
By Maayan - bronze member
Submitted on January 14, 2026
Alma and the Deer
Alma is a water fairy who enjoys playing in the sand by the lake. She is currently building a sandcastle and finds some shells to decorate it. After finishing her sandcastle, she decides to go for a swim and dive into the lake. She swims around for a while before deciding to construct a castle out of coral. It takes a long time to build, and the castle turns out to be quite large. Once it's finished, she goes inside the castle, has dinner, and then goes to bed, enjoying a wonderful night's sleep.
The next morning, she has a quick breakfast and rushes to the forest to have some fun. Not long after, she visits a park to play on the slide. The following day, Alma walks deeper into the forest and finds an injured deer. Wanting to help, she carefully picks up the deer and brings it to her castle to try to heal it. She gathers some seaweed to make a cast for the deer. That night, she places the deer on a bed, and the next day, she feeds it some seaweed, hoping it will get better. In the meantime, Alma thinks of a name for the deer and decides to call her Bubbles. "I think that's a good name," Alma thinks.
After several days, Bubbles starts to recover, so Alma takes her out to the garden to try walking around. Bubbles takes one step and then another. “Bubbles, you’re walking again!” Alma exclaims happily as Bubbles jumps up in the air and smiles. Later that day, Alma removes Bubbles’ cast and gives her some food, and Bubbles licks her face in thanks.
They then venture into the forest to collect supplies. They gather mushrooms, grass, flowers, and weeds, and even find a bird to keep as a pet. Bubbles likes the bird, which Alma names Flux. They all go home and have lunch together: Bubbles eats grass, Flux eats birdseed, and Alma enjoys fish.
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Secret of the Shadow
It was a peaceful morning at the lake, and Alma stood still at the water’s edge, her wings resting gently on her back. She watched the ripples move across the surface like whispers. Bubbles the deer and Flux the bird ran up beside her, eager to play, but stopped when they saw her serious expression.
“Alma?” Bubbles asked. “Is something wrong?”
Alma nodded slowly. “Yes. There’s something I need to tell you. A truth I’ve kept hidden... because it’s very old, and very dangerous.”
Flux fluttered closer. “What kind of truth?”
Alma took a deep breath. “Long ago—so long that even the young trees have forgotten—there was a great darkness called the Shadow. It was not a beast with claws or fire. It was worse. A creeping gloom that fed on fear. Wherever it spread, the world grew cold and silent. Flowers stopped blooming. The sky turned gray. The rivers dried.”
Bubbles’ ears folded back. “That sounds terrible…”
“It was,” Alma said. “But the animals of the world—strong ones, clever ones, gentle ones—gathered together. They didn’t run from the Shadow. They stood against it. Owls, foxes, wolves, whales, butterflies—even the smallest bug played a part.”
“Really?” Flux asked, amazed.
“Yes,” Alma said with a small smile. “And together, they used a special kind of magic to stop it. They didn’t destroy the Shadow… but they trapped it. Sealed it away in another world, far from this one.”
She paused and looked at them seriously. “But lately… I’ve felt something—a darkness in the trees and the rivers seem smaller. I fear the boundary between our world and that one is starting to fall apart.
If the Shadow returns… We’ll need to be ready.”
Bubbles stepped forward. “We’ll help you, Alma. “Yeah!” Flux chirped. “Whatever it takes!” Alma’s expression turned back from worry. “That’s why I called you here today. You are both brave and good-hearted. If you choose to stand with me, I will grant you magic—real magic that lives inside you,
waiting to awaken.”
Bubbles blinked. “You mean… We’ll have powers?”
Alma nodded. Forest and wind. The magic of life and air. But not today. Magic must be earned with understanding and courage. Tomorrow, I will ask again. If your hearts are still ready, I will give you what you need to protect this world.”
The wind gently blew the water as Alma turned back to the lake, whispering to the waves:
We must come together to stop this evil force
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The First Guardian
The day after Alma warned her friends about the Shadow, Bubbles and Flux stood proudly by her side.
“We’re ready,” Bubbles said. “We want to help protect the world.”
Alma smiled gently. “Then I will give you what you need.”
She lifted her hands and spoke a spell as old as the forest. Magic shimmered around her friends.
“To you, Bubbles, I grant the magic of the forest—wild, strong, and full of life.”
Flowers bloomed at her hooves, wrapping her gently in vines.
“To you, Flux, I grant the magic of the wind—clever, smart, and swift.”
A breeze lifted his wings, spinning leaves around him like a tiny storm.
“With your powers,” Alma said, “we begin the true journey. Long ago, when the animals sealed away the Shadow, they created three dragons, guardians to protect the memory of what was done. If the Shadow ever returned, those dragons would be our only hope.”
They set off at dawn, traveling across rushing rivers and through vast meadows. Eventually, high in the mountains, they discovered a cave hidden behind a silver waterfall.
Inside, the cave was silent… too silent.
They crafted a torch—Flux gathered dry moss and twigs, Bubbles found a piece of flint, and Alma lit it. The light flickered against the stone walls, revealing strange carvings: animals standing side by side, facing a swirling darkness.
Then the bones began to move.
With a loud rattle, skeletons rose from the stone floor, their eyes glowing with blue fire.
“Get back!” Alma shouted.
She raised her hands and summoned a wave that knocked the first row over. Flux took flight, whipping up gusts of wind to scatter the bones, while Bubbles stomped and summoned thick vines from the floor to trap the rest.
But the cave rumbled. A low growl rolled through the air.
From the shadows behind them, a massive dragon slowly rose—his scales glittered like wet stone, and his breath blew mist across the floor.
“It’s him,” Bubbles whispered. “The guardian.”
The dragon let out a deep, rumbling roar, not angry, but protective. He charged toward them, wings sweeping wide, scattering skeletons into dust.
Then he turned his eyes on Alma, Bubbles, and Flux. He stepped closer, cautiously, his breath heavy with ancient magic.
Bubbles stepped forward and lowered her head. “We’re not here to hurt you,” she said softly. “We came to find you. To ask for your help.”
Flux flapped beside her. “We’re trying to stop the Shadow.”
Alma took a step forward, holding out her hand. “You were created by the animals of the old world.
You’re not just a guardian—you’re part of the magic that once saved everything.”
The dragon paused… and slowly, gently, lowered his head to her hand.
“Her name…” Alma whispered, “It's Kindle.”
At his feet, they found two things: a glowing blue orb, warm and glowing with light, and a folded note written on a strip of bark. Alma picked it up and read:
“If the Shadow wakes again, awaken me. I am Kindle. I carry the map. Follow the wind to the canyon of echoes. There, the next guardian waits.”
Bubbles smiled. “So… he’s coming with us?”
Kindle let out a low, soft growl and gently nudged the orb toward Alma.
“He’s with us now,” Alma said. “And we’re stronger because of it.”
The first guardian had joined them.
The next awaited in the canyon of echoes.
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The Second Guardian
After resting and recharging deep inside the mountain cave, Alma, Bubbles, Flux, and Kindle gathered around a small fire near the cave entrance. The wind outside had quieted, and the stars above sparkled brightly in the sky.
Kindle rested nearby, his glowing eyes half-closed but alert. Alma understood his purpose: he was the first guardian, left behind long ago by the animals who sealed away the Shadow.
The note had told them the next piece of the puzzle would be found in the canyon of echoes, where the second guardian waited.
“We’ll need to find him soon,” Alma said. “Each dragon holds part of the truth. Only when we gather all three can we stop the Shadow from breaking through.”
Bubbles looked at the orb they had found beside Kindle. It glowed gently, like a lamp. “Do you think the next orb will be the same?”
“Maybe,” Flux said. “But I think the next guardian might be harder to find.”
The next morning, they set out, following the winds across rocky hills and into the deep canyon with towering walls of stone. The wind echoed around them, carrying old whispers that sounded like voices from long ago.
“This must be it,” Alma said. “The canyon of echoes.”
Suddenly, the earth shook beneath their feet. Cracks spread across the canyon floor, and a loud rumble echoed all around them. Rocks crumbled. The air grew heavy.
Then, he appeared.
From beneath the dust and stone, the second dragon rose. His scales shimmered silver in the fading light. His wings unfolded with a great gust of wind, and his eyes blazed bright with ancient power.
The dragon stepped forward—but did not attack.
Instead, he dropped something at their feet: a glowing green orb and a folded note wrapped in dried leaves.
Alma picked up the note and read it aloud:
“The second piece. I am Ghost. I carry the key. If the first has joined you, I will join you too. But be warned—the final guardian rests in the Mudland, where the Shadow was strongest.”
Bubbles stepped forward. “He’s with us?”
Ghost let out a deep rumble and gave a single nod.
Flux smiled. “That makes two dragons on our side!”
Alma turned to her friends. “The last guardian is in the Mudland. That’s where the final orb is and the final dragon.”
Bubbles shivered. “Do you think the Shadow is already reaching into our world?”
“I don’t know,” Alma said. “But we’re getting closer. And we’re not alone, we have two dragons with us, and we have the orbs.”
“But we don’t know what to do with them,” Bubbles said with worry in her voice.
Flux landed on Bubbles’s back and said, “Don’t worry, we will find out what they mean, plus I think the final dragon may know some things about this shadow.”
With Kindle and Ghost now flying beside them, and two glowing orbs in their hands, the friends looked toward the dark clouds gathering in the distance.
The Mudland waited.
And so did the third and final guardian.
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The Final Guardian
After walking for hours, the scenery changed. The trees became smaller, and the ground turned muddy and sparkly. They had arrived in the Mudland. It was strange but beautiful, with bright colors and thick mist hovering just above the ground. Ghost and Kindle landed next to them, mud falling away as he did. “The note says the last dragon is in this area. We need to stay alert.” Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the mist. The ground shook lightly, and the trees swayed. “That can’t be good,” Bubbles whispered, her eyes wide.
As they moved carefully ahead, they saw a giant dragon, shimmering like the stars, with scales sparkling against the muddy ground. Unlike the other dragons they had met, this one had wise eyes filled with sorrow. The dragon did not seem happy to see the other dragons. Alma understood that the dragon knew why they were there, and the Shadow was coming back.
Alma spoke up, “I know why you are upset, but please help us.”
Flux added, “This world needs you, or else the forest will die, the rivers will dry up, and we won’t be able to stop this evil.”
The dragon said, “My name is Eclipse, and I have been here for so long, hoping that this day would never come, but yet here you are, and the Shadow is bleeding into this world.”
Kindle finally said something, “Eclipse, you and you were made to defend this world from the evil that was locked away so many years ago, but if we do not band together, then we may all be taken by the Shadow.”
Ghost said, “ With your help, we can stop this evil force that is trying to take our world.”
Eclipse replied and said, “Very well, you have shown me who you fight for, and I now trust you to do what's right for all the creatures of this world.”
Eclipse gave Alma the glowing red orb he had and the note that was folded and sealed with mud, buried for a long time.
"I am Eclipse, the final dragon. I hold the second key. With all three orbs, you can open the gate to the land of Shadow, but be warned that it is a very dangerous place. Ghost had the first key to the portal, and I possess the second. Use the orbs to create the portal, and then use the keys to open it."
Bubbles suggested, “Perhaps we should return to the castle to learn more about the shadow, figure out how to open the portal, and seek answers.”
With Eclipse’s guidance, the group carefully made their way back through the Mudland, their spirits lifted by their newfound alliance. As they approached the castle, the mist began to clear, revealing the castle glowing in warm sunlight.
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We learn the long road
When they returned to the castle, everyone was exhausted and ready for bed. But Alma knew there was no time to waste—even though she, too, needed rest.
Flux headed to the kitchen with Bubbles to gather some logs, then they made their way to the storage room to collect bundles of hay for the dragons to sleep on. Flux carefully spread out the hay near the glowing embers of the fireplace, while Bubbles used a small puff of flame to light it with warmth. Alma brought over some fruit, and soon they were all snuggled up together.
When Alma woke the next morning, the room was still and quiet. Bubbles and Flux were fast asleep, snuggled in a cozy pile. She tiptoed out onto the coral deck, the breeze cool against her wings.
There, lying peacefully in a patch of sunlight, was Kindle. The dragon had a small bundle of fish wrapped neatly in seaweed, and she was happily munching away.
Kindle looked up and smiled when she saw Alma. “Oh hey! I woke up about an hour ago. You all were still sleeping, so I came out here to get some breakfast. Hope you don’t mind.”
Alma giggled and sat beside her, brushing a lock of hair from her face. “Fish for breakfast, huh?”
Kindle gave a little shrug and smiled. “Old habit.”
Alma gazed out across the water, her smile fading slightly. “Are you... not worried about the Shadow?”
Kindle’s expression grew serious. “I am. When the others wake up, me and the other dragons... we have something important to tell you.”
Alma’s wings fluttered gently in the morning breeze. She turned to Kindle. “What is it you need to tell me?”
Kindle flicked her tail slowly. “It’s better if we wait for Ghost and Eclipse. You’ll want to hear it together.”
Just then, Alma heard quiet footsteps behind her. Bubbles stretched her long legs and yawned, blinking in the sunlight. Flux rubbed the hay off her wings and yawned. Then Alma heard a small grumble from the fireplace and said, “Welp, I think the other dragons are getting up now.”
Kindle giggled and said, “Yeah, who could have known,” as a puff of smoke came out from the room, and Ghost came out onto the deck
A deep rumble echoed across the stones as Eclipse stretched her wings, still half-asleep. “Mmm… morning already?” she murmured, one eye barely open.
“Morning, sleepy scales,” Alma said cheerfully, handing her a berry from the fruit bowl. “We’ve got a long day ahead.”
Kindle’s eyes glowed softly as she stepped forward. “But first, breakfast. Even brave animals need full bellies before saving the world.”
So they all say down and had some fish
Then all the dragons looked at each other
Kindle was the first to speak. She set down her fish and brushed a scale from her nose. “Alma,” she said gently, “there’s something we haven’t told you yet.”
Alma tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
Ghost let out a slow sigh. “The orbs you carry—they’re not just lights. They’re pieces of a portal, meant to take us to the Realm of Shadow.”
Eclipse nodded. “But… we don’t know how to open it.”
Alma blinked. “You don’t?”
“We thought we did,” Kindle said. “We were created to protect the memory of the Shadow and stop its return. But the truth is, the spell to open the gate was hidden from even us.”
“There’s more to the story,” said Ghost. “Long ago, before the Shadow was sealed, the animals gave parts of the unlocking spell to three ancient beings—creatures even older than us.”
Alma leaned forward. “Who are they?”
Eclipse spoke softly. “The Leopard of the High Mountain. She knows the secrets written in the stars.”
“The Wise Turtle of the Wild Woods,” Ghost continued. “He remembers every story ever told.”
“And the Sapphire Dolphin of the Dark Ocean,” Kindle added. “She sings to the sea and guards the final words of the spell.”
Alma looked down at the glowing orbs beside her. “So… we have the keys, but we need the words.”
Kindle nodded. “Exactly. Without the full spell, the portal will stay sealed. And the Shadow will keep growing stronger.”
Bubbles stepped forward. “Then we’ll find them. The leopard, the turtle, and the dolphin. No matter how far we have to go.”
Flux landed gently on Alma’s shoulder. “We’ve come this far. We’re not stopping now.
“But how do we know how to find them?” Alma said
Flux remembered, “I think Kindle had a map, so she may know.”
Kindle gave Alma a small tan piece of paper and Alma opened it and looked at the strange designs on the paper and said “what is the world is this” Kindle said that it was old writing and started to
interpret the writing.
Kindle told them were the first animal was “The leopard lives up were only stars live and she will know the first words to the spell after that we need to go to the swamp.
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Comments for the Entire Story
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PLEASE, write more???? Hello this is really good?
Comment by rose on January 15, 2026Liked by 1 -
I am still working on this story and since I am home schooled my schedule is kind of crazy but I will finish it as soon as I can.
Comment by Maayan on January 14, 2026Liked by 1 -
I will try and TYYYY
Comment by Maayan on January 15, 2026Liked by 0
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