Old, cosy, rustic villages stood on the banks of the gentle river. These settlements were spread all over this region of the island, dotted between mystical forests and enchanted caves, which led to underground tunnels filled with goblins. People here were calm, reflecting the peace of their kingdom. Animals seemed to share this mindset: keeping out of the way but helping lost travellers when needed. This place was the setting of a book you never want to end, while also waiting for the inevitable plot twist. A book which made you excited for the next perfect day to dawn. For here, in the low city kingdom, was the perfect place to live your days with worry being a mystery you were happy leaving alone.
On the other side of the river, water sprayed the surrounding boulders and mossy cliff faces. Welcome to the High Cities. Towns perched at the top of mountains were filled with desperate merchants, in search of the few customers that had money to spare. Run down slate houses, on the brink of collapse, stood on identical cobbled streets, which made up most of the settlements. Snow would fall constantly for days on end covering the shopfronts with a sludgy grey blanket: the type you just wish would melt away. The nights were long, and daylight was scarce. Ravens flew from roof to roof, flicking snow onto people’s heads. But there wasn’t that much wildlife. Most species didn’t dare brave the icy conditions. They were all down in the valleys filled with glaciers and crystal-clear lagoons. This was mostly the property of long-lost royal families with descendants rich enough to move to the Low Cities and forget their lives. The population of the High Cities dream.
The source of the river cracking the kingdoms was found in the mountains, but not in the High Cities. Drops of water suspended in the air eternally hovered above the ground, across the landscape in this world. It should be impossible, but it was possible in a kingdom where the laws of physics, gravity, and everything else was out the window. No one knew that if they dragged themselves away from bookshops, slate roofs and misery they would find these Hanging Lands.
In the centre of the island, all three of the kingdoms come together: the cosy Low Cities; the stone High Cities; and the mystical Hanging Lands. A willow stands where the regions meet, hanging over the land, uniting the island.
But everyone seemed a world apart.
Rosemary W
The Enchanted Emerald City
As the glowing sun set, I skipped along the rocky path which felt like it went on for miles. All around me there were luscious emerald, green trees with finger-like roots. Up in the distance I could see the golden palace with its shimmering walls, which belongs to the wicked snow queen. As I continued walking, there was the enchanted river filled with undefined creatures big and small.
The bridge going over the opal blue river was as a never-ending road. Upon the monstrous mountains there lives a fierce fire dragon; it is the most dangerous animal in history! While I was walking through the kind and small village, I could see all the glowing frosty windows with the reflection of the sun. Above the clouds the sun rays shine through with colours of amber and ruby red. Finally, I came up to my house, which was shimmering with magic fairy dust!
My father was making a special family dish which was filled with amazing vegetables and meat. I looked out of the window, there was a dark, mysterious plant growing at the speed of light. It was full of all the fruit and vegetables you could think of in the world. As our grandfather clock struck 8 o’clock all the animals in the land began making a racket. Suddenly the snow queen – in rage – stormed out of her palace, in her silk emerald dressing gown, and then there was silence!!! Everything stayed the same till sunrise. Over the pointy, callosal castle you could see a herd of unknown creatures climbed the old, worn hill. Everyone was screaming in horror! But I had a plan…
Aria H
Fantasy Writing
As the sun started to rise, the white, shining snow started to melt, glistening in the sunlight. The boy watched the sun slowly burn the snow away, noticing the tips of the bright grass shimmer on the ground. He watched as the sky turned from a colourful ombre to a bright blue colour. He was daydreaming of his dead best friend sitting next to him, hoping he would be there in real life but when he turned, his wish never came true. He stood up leaving his hideout, to look for food.
Whilst walking down the path, he looked around and saw all the plants and insects scattering as he walked. The grass was as green as a bright and shining emerald, the trees stood tall looking as if the boy was an insect and it was the boy. The snow sludge was splashing him when he skipped, and the mushrooms were so big you could sit on them like a fairy or an elf.
Soon the boy found a small village. It didn't look creepy or old but warm and stuffy, until he saw a man standing over him. The boy tried to run away but tripped on a sharp rock and cut his arm and head. Suddenly, everything went black.
When he woke up, he seemed to be in some sort of house? The boy looked down at his arm, watching blood stain a bandage that had appeared on him. He looked around, he saw a fireplace warming up the house, and a bed that he was lying on Suddenly, the man rushed through the door dropping all the wood he had collected from the creepy, old forest and ran back to his cooking pan. There seemed to be soup pouring out as he took it off the stove and sloshed it into a bowl. “For you,” he said as he turned towards the boy and walked closer. When he sat on the bed, the boy chugged at the soup quickly. The man, seeing how hungry the boy was, asked him, “why are you so hungry and where is your family?” The boy answered quickly and said, “My family abandoned me when I was very young, and I had no one to help me survive until I met my best friend. He gave me food and water whilst also helping me survive. Without him I don't know what I would have done!”
Then the man asked, “where is he now?” The boy replied, “He got taken away when I was 8. After all he was a wolf!” “A WOLF?!” shouted the man. “Yes, but he wasn't just a wolf, he was my best friend. Until Bruno and his hunters took him away forever!” said the boy, tears shedding down his face. “Bruno... BRUNO?!?!” screamed the man. Suddenly he whacked the boy’s head off the wall and stomped away.
Mia N
Fantasy Writing
Thousands of fiery pinks, oranges and yellows filled the world sky ending the day with a settled trickle of water dripping slowly down a cliff top. The smell of damp, fresh plants, and soil suck into my brain. The refreshing smell filled my head, calming all my nerves. A strong gust of wind took my breath along with the sights. I turned around and saw a river flowing through the zigzag mountains, a huge cloud revealing revolting rain covered the mountain peaks.
Suddenly I saw it: a dragon! Enormous and colossal, it blew fire angrily. Spiky scales coated its long and mouldy neck and its mustard-coloured tail swished around aggressively. Glaring fiercely, its bloodshot eyes stared into the abyss It continued to scorch the ground around it constantly. Like a hawk, it flapped its multi coloured wings sending gusts of wind wide around.
Slowly, the colourful dragon opened its enlarged eyes, scanning The Cave carefully. It spotted me! The beast lifted its large chest like it was protecting something, something special. She just sat there waiting, watching me. I tried to glance behind but could not see. My breath was taken, my heart was fast. I saw it. Behind the large sculpture was a delicate, newborn egg laid down on the soft feathers, a blanket huddling the egg like a baby.
The mother dragon was calm, did she want me to look after them? I snuck closer she just watched me, stepped towards the egg, she turned her body to face me and her precious egg. The egg was close, closer than I thought I would get. I sat on the twigs and feathers. It was warm with the heat that had been below the dragon. I touched the egg; a puff of wind exited the mouth of the dragon. I was not sure whether she was signalling to get off, or I trust you, I took it as a signal that she trusted me and shuffled closer.
Lacey-Mae C
World of Wonder
The pastel blue sky filled with fluffy, puffy clouds that looked like a tasty treat. I admired the strange world around me, but at the same time getting annoyed by the creatures across from me giggling and screeching their voices.
Suddenly, I saw something or someone weird in the distance. It toddled towards me; I stepped back. As it reached me the stick like figure got beet red in the face, well not really a face since there was no eyes or mouth. As it mumbled, I secretly snuck away. As I giggled looking towards the stick figure I fell to the ground. A massive dragon had swept me off my feet. The dragon turned its bloodshot eyes and smoky breath towards me. Then it showed its injured tail
I wanted to scream but I didn't want the dragon to be destroyed or hurt. But I had to be scared. I screamed anyway. The dragon didn't budge, just glared right at me with its terrifying eyes. The thing that scared me the most was well, DRAGONS of course. But this dragon was different it did look terrifying at first but it's such a softy. Still, I wanted to know where I was. As I turned the dragon was gone. I imagined that it flew away or got scared – I didn't know.
I ended up strolling through a forest. I felt that I was walking for years. I was lost, I panicked and fell to the floor It felt dark
I didn't know what happened all I know that someone awesome found me, but I don't think it was a person it was bumpy. I woke up: I wasn't home, I wasn't in the forest, I was in a cottage or a small house. I got up feeling like a block of jelly on a plate. As I got closer to the door it opened, and I fell face first on the brick ground then when I looked up a lifeless face of a dragon huffing and puffing blowing misty like egg breath but got distracted by all the old dead roses and tulips all smashed up next to the window. I sat up and fell right back down. As I struggle to speak, I said politely to the dragon, “Do you mind taking me home, I'm lost.”
The dragon nodded, then it picked me up and popped me on his back and broke through the window as it flew. I fell asleep but it shocked me telling me that I was home, but I was too weak so yet again it broke my bedroom window and popped me in my bed and sat next to me before I went to sleep. I never saw that dragon again.
Jessica L
Far, far away, in a land where no one ventures, not even the bravest of souls, lies a magical, mystical, mysterious village. Towering buildings touch the weeping clouds as they overlook the village, making the wicked, warped witches and wizards look like ants.
As a new day approaches, the sun never brightens, instead the dark depressing dismal sky turns into a charcoal black, like a piece of coal. The sun floats in the sky like a ghost. Looming in the nearby trees, a murder of crows open their beaks and call to nearby birds their cry as sharp as knives scratching against the wood.
Fantasy Writing
High up in the crying clouds dangerous dragons roam, roaring with all their might and burning the trees as tall as giants, that surround the island imprisoning everyone, with their scorching ruby red flames. As they fly higher and higher into the inky sky, they spread out their mesmerising wings, the village below looking outrageously small.
Running through the towering, steep, craggy mountains a neon turquoise river crushes its monstrous waves, shaping the landscape around it. As fast as cheetahs, blood sucking piranhas jump up and snap their razor sharp, serrated teeth. Hungrily swimming down below mischievous, enormous sharks show off their teeth that are as sharp as broken glass.
Placed directly in the centre of this small town, a beautiful, ginormous castle shines brightly like a diamond amongst hideous plain looking rocks; legend says the snow-white walls are haunted by evil monsters as scary as your worst nightmares. Glass windows stare blankly as they reflect the awful, terrifying island. Surrounding the building is an aqua blue, hypnotising moat: the waves crash silently, protecting anyone inside the building. If you ever stumble across this island full of wonders and nightmares then you, of course, would be very unlucky. But you also would be the first to ever find it. If you're brave enough, you may explore it and find all the mysteries and secrets hidden on it, if you want you could even name it but for now this supernatural land will be called what it has always been. The Island of Despair.
The Giant Rising Out of the Sea.
Falling into the water, rocks crumbled down as the giant stands. The giant’s arms reach out as it lets out a big yawn. The sunrise glows and lessons over the water, its rays stretching out in almost endless rows.
Huge hands rise and hold on a big rock to steady itself. The giant wobbles slightly, the water splashing. Rocks run down the slender body of the giant, waves crashing against its legs as it stands at its full height. Its eyes scan around, trying to find the source of the disturbance to its sleep. It finds nothing.
The orange glow of the sun radiates warmth. The giants eyes flutter as it adjusts to the light. Still confused, it glances around the area - still no sign of anything which could have awoken it.
Birds sing softly from high in the sky. The giant smiles warmly, the kind of smile that would leave you in awe. Hands of the giant gently scoop some water, running it through its fingers. A sense of peacefulness fills the air, putting everything at ease.
The giant’s lips part, as if to say something, but no words come out. Water flows slowly, the wind whispering lightly. Everything feels at comfort as there is a moment of soft silence.
The giant takes some steps forward. It patiently searches, curious of what thing could have woken it up. The water wobbles with each step taken.
Daytime comes to an end, darkness slowly enveloping the dark sky. Stars scatter across the big black ink, shining brightly. The giant makes its way back to the water, its eyes drooping before falling into a deep slumber. Everything goes silent as the night grows into calmness.
Once again, the giant will be asleep for another one thousand years, and it will repeat over and over…
