Short Story: The Guardian of the Sword of Light (English Version of Penjaga Pedang Cahaya)

Free Fantasy Short Story: The Guardian of the Sword of Light

Hi, Pengembara. Ah, or should i call you, Wanderer? Cuz, this is the English version of my old short stories. 

Ok, Wanderer, this is a fantasy short story often captivate readers with thrilling adventures, magical worlds, and mysterious characters.

In today’s story, Kak Bi presents The Guardian of the Sword of Light, written in 2022 alongside another short story; About Winda, The Tree of Life, and The Unseen Possibility, as part of the #WritingPromptswithPicture challenge on Opinia app.

If you’re into stories filled with fantasy, adventure, magic, and mythology, this one might be perfect for you.

***

[Fantasy short story]—Kevin walked deeper into the forest. The earthy scent of soil and water, mixed with the aroma of leaves, made his nose itch even more. The compass in his hand suddenly stopped spinning and pointed firmly in one direction. Kevin followed its guidance.

Carrying a letter from his father; a commander of the Durvie Kingdom, Kevin was sent on a mission to find the Sword of Light, a royal family heirloom. As descendants of commanders, Kevin’s family bore the duty of protecting the royal bloodline, which included retrieving the Sword of Light that returned to the same place every 15 years.

Fifteen years ago, Kevin’s older brother had gone to retrieve the sword for the first time in place of their father. But he never returned. 

The scent of mulberries reached Kevin’s nose as rows of mulberry trees lined the area near a suspicious-looking cave.

“Could the Sword of Light be in there?” Kevin murmured as he stepped toward the cave.

At its entrance lay two wolves, fast asleep. Kevin moved with caution, trying to sneak past them. Once he succeeded, he ventured further inside, only to find three diverging paths ahead.

His father’s letter had stated: choose the path that speaks of life.

Read this: Berapakah Maksimal Umur Kucing?

Another short story: Penelepon Misterius

Kevin studied the three options. The first was muddy and damp. The second was overgrown with green grass, though it gave off a slightly sharp scent. The third was dark and eerily silent. After a long moment of consideration, Kevin chose the second path.

Halfway down the tunnel, the ring his father had given him began to glow. The soft yellowish-green light seemed to signal that he was on the right path. Kevin arrived at a narrow stream, its ceiling high and shadowed. Light peeked only through a small gap on the right side, far from enough to brighten the space.

As Kevin accidentally stepped into the stream, the ring glowed even brighter. He dropped his bag and waded toward the center, where the current was gentle. Moments later, a large stone rose from the water.

Kevin approached and noticed a glowing sword embedded in the side of the ston, its hilt gripped tightly by a figure turned to stone.

***

[Fantasy short story]—Kevin froze. The stone figure bore a striking resemblance to his father, though the features and body build were different. 

A necklace dangled from the statue’s hand. Kevin read the inscription—it was Charles Herburn, his brother who vanished fifteen years ago.

“Are you... dead, Charles?” Kevin’s voice echoed within the cave, though he had only whispered.

Suddenly, a swarm of bats swooped down from the ceiling, grazing Kevin’s head. In that moment, Kevin noticed the statue's eyes now seemed to be watching him.

A chill ran down his spine as the statue slowly slumped forward and fell into the water.

“Are you okay?” Kevin asked, his heart skipping a beat.

A low growl was the only reply.

“Are you a Herburn?” asked the figure emerging from the stream.

“Yes! Are you Charles?”

The figure stood. He was the same height as Kevin, though his face looked older.

“Charles?” Kevin asked again to be sure.

“Yes, I’m alive!” the man exclaimed, flexing his fingers, then turning to face Kevin. “Now it’s your turn.”

“What?” Kevin was startled. He didn’t know why, but everything felt so sudden.

“Weren’t you sent to find the Sword of Light?” he asked, pointing at the sword still lodged in the stone. Kevin nodded.

“Back then, I did what you’re doing now. I freed Father that day. Now, you've freed me. Climb up.”

Kevin obeyed, trusting the man he now believed was his long-lost brother. He was told to grab the glowing sword and remove the ring from his finger. Kevin complied.

Once in position, a flock of birds and bats began flying overhead. Kevin’s body trembled as his screams merged with the screeching of wings.

The Sword of Light split in two. One blade remained in Kevin’s hand, now frozen to the stone. The other fell into the water. Charles quickly grabbed it and walked away, leaving Kevin screaming in pain.

Slowly, Kevin’s body hardened. A red light shone from the sword. Soon after, Kevin turned completely to stone, his body sinking to the riverbed.

“You’ll have to wait another fifteen years, until the sword returns. Then, another Herburn will come to free you,” Charles whispered, bowing respectfully to the brother he hadn’t known for over a decade.

Charles departed. It had taken him fifteen years to find the Sword of Light. The same fate now awaited Kevin.

***

[Fantasy short story]—Charles stood silently in front of two wolves now snarling at him. 

It seemed he had chosen the wrong exit path from the inner cave. Perhaps the commotion had awakened them or maybe it was simply the curse. Years of being petrified had made Charles weak.

The wolves grew more aggressive at the sight of the shining sword. They lunged. Charles fought back, but their fangs tore into his flesh. He died there.

He was not as lucky as their father, who had once emerged alive fifteen years ago. And now, Kevin remained trapped as the guardian of the sword’s entrance.

The Durvie Kingdom fell, its commander’s son never returning with the Sword of Light—the kingdom’s divine shield.

With Kevin turned to stone, Charles devoured by wolves, the Durvie Kingdom vanished into history.

The End
Gorontalo, October 13, 2022

Don’t miss out on more magical fantasy stories by Kak Bi, right here on this blog. Thank you!