Ztrangleterrs #AtoZChallenge 2025 fantasy

[Story scene post]

"You are the right choice. I have no doubt," Yarth says while swaddling the level one with a soft cloth. "Jaildarn was not focused on mastering travel and discovery. He mastered manipulation and hatred."

I nod and hold the bowl of soft food toward the little one. 

"There is one other task I must do. The arch, where the portal formed, I am supposed to destroy it." 

We feed the small one. More is swallowed than spit, so we call it a victory. Yarth carries the napping little one as we head to the cavern. 

Using my tools, I strike at the arch. The vine around it twitches. 

"Ever see a vine twitch?" I ask. 

"That's an Orange question," Yarth chuckles. "I think they call them ztrangleterrs. Dangerous, but not difficult to defeat." 

"If only we could ask one." I strike again. The arch collapses. The vine stretches out and grabs me. It wraps around my neck.

I hear Yarth scream my name as everything goes dark. 

Would Darterra send me to destroy the arch only to make me a level five? I wonder that as Luthais comes into view. 

"So, this is death? This is level five?"

Luthais smiles. "Yes and No. Darterra heard your pleas, and your rational reasons for them. The Valianter will do better with knowledge from a few leaders. Your jewel is cracked because it will grow and change, as you must try more. Brown will dominate your jewel, as you will always be a master of mountains. However, you must also be familiar with several other specialties. Just as the ones you will raise. No longer will anyone be a master in one area and lack knowledge in others. We will help you to teach them."

I have more questions. But Luthias fades from view. I hear Yarth saying my name and our little level one crying. My chest hurts. I open my eyes and find Yarth pressing on me.

"Ouch."

"Belp! What was that?" I look around. Yarth has the vine torn apart. The light in the cavern has faded. The jewel of the level one is the brightest light left. 

"We should get out of here," I say as I sit up.

"You were level five! Your jewel went dark. Then the crack filled with Red. I have never witnessed anything like that. And now, look, you have a glow again." Yarth points. 

I pick up the little one, who reaches to touch my jewel. 

"Looks like I'm a redesignation after all." I chuckle as I get up. "I know what we should call our little one."

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Key dramatic question that will take whole story to answer:

Could Belp have prevented all this death, how, and if so-- why didn't he?

And what led Jaildarn to become the cause of such annihilation? 

Have these been answered well enough?

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QUESTION -- How do you feel about the ending? 

https://jlennidorner.blogspot.com/2025/04/win-atozchallenge-2025-fantasy.html Enter the giveaway! ⭐🤗❤

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My A to Z 2025 theme is a fantasy story. (And some of the process of writing it as well.) 🕮

- J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZchallenge

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