Dadcrossing Stories

  Chapter Eleven: The Tower and the Spellbook The group approached the crumbling tower with wary steps, their boots crunching over brittle gravel and twisted roots. The structure loomed above them like a relic forgotten by time—its once-proud spires cracked and tilting, stonework chipped and worn by years of wind and weather. Ivy, now long dead, clung to the tower's base like bony fingers, and vines hung limp from its jagged battlements. "This place feels... sad," Ariel said softly, hugging her cloak tighter around her. "It feels angry," Boo replied, her voice low. "Like it remembers everything that happened here." Kip squinted up at the tower's fractured silhouette against the dim sky. "I’d say haunted, but honestly, I don’t think anything’s left to haunt. Just memory and ruin." Thistle nodded solemnly. "Still, this was once a place of great learning. Maybe it still has something to teach." As they neared the threshold, the air...

  Chapter Ten: Into the Shadowland Zephyra’s great wings folded back against her sides, the light around her shimmering as she gazed at the group before her. “Before you leave,” she said, her voice grave and deep, "you must know this: the Shadowland is not merely a place of darkness. It is a place where fear takes form, and doubt can drag you under faster than any river current." Her golden eyes met each of theirs. "Faith in yourselves, and faith in the light that burns within you, will be your shield. Doubt it, and the darkness will find a way inside." The group listened in silence. Boo shifted uncomfortably. Kip's ears flattened slightly. Even Thistle’s normally perky expression turned somber. "Thank you, Zephyra," Ariel said, her voice steady even as her heart raced. Zephyra dipped her head once in solemn blessing. "Go swiftly. Go bravely." The wind at the edge of the floating island grew stronger, swirling around them like an invi...

  Chapter Nine: The Wisdom of the Wind The campfire crackled gently at the base of the Floating Cliffs, casting warm light against the surrounding stone walls. Above them, the misty chasm glowed faintly in the moonlight, and the floating islands loomed like silent giants in the sky. Waterfalls poured endlessly into the void below, disappearing into the swirling fog. Ariel sat close to the fire, knees hugged to her chest, her bracelet glowing softly in the dim light. Thistle stirred a small pot of spiced root stew while Boo curled up beside Ariel, twitching her ears at every distant noise. Kip sat cross-legged across from them, turning his staff slowly in his paws. “I still don’t understand,” Ariel said softly. “What is the Void?” Thistle’s expression grew serious. “It’s where the world ends—or at least, where this one does. A place without light or sound. It pulls things in and keeps them. Lost forever.” “Some say it’s a forgotten realm,” Kip added, gaze flicking to the mist. “Oth...

  Chapter Eight: The Cliffs That Float The path had turned rugged again, climbing steadily upward into the ridgelands. The morning fog had long since burned away, replaced by wide, cloudless skies and a steady, cool wind. Dusty stone gave way to slate and glimmering quartz patches that glittered underfoot. Somewhere in the distance, faint thunder rolled—not from a storm, but something else entirely. Kip walked ahead of the group, his stick tapping against the stone as he hummed a tune only he seemed to know. “Alright,” he said, stopping and spinning on his heels, “let’s talk terms.” Boo narrowed her eyes immediately. “Terms? I knew this was coming.” Kip held up his paws. “Now don’t get twitchy. I said I could lead you to the Shadowlands—and I can. I know the secret paths. Ones that twist through the Folded Hills and the Breakglass Basin. But...” He grinned. “To get through the veil gate unharmed, I need a feather.” “A feather?” Ariel asked. “Not just any feather,” Kip said dramatic...

  Chapter Seven: Kip of the Moonshade The morning sky above the city of Liora looked like it had forgotten how to shine. Clouds drifted overhead like smudges of smoke, and the soft blue hue of the sky had dimmed to a quiet gray. Ariel tugged her cloak tighter around her shoulders, her boots thudding softly against the polished stone steps of the castle’s outer gate. She, Boo, and Thistle stood side by side, staring out into the road that led away from the city—a road of shimmering stone that twisted through the golden meadows and vanished into a line of shadow far beyond. Ariel swallowed. “So that’s the direction to the Shadowlands?” “Beyond those hills,” Thistle said quietly, adjusting the straps of his satchel. “It’ll be a few days’ journey. That’s if the paths stay clear.” “And if they don’t?” Boo muttered. “Then we improvise,” Thistle replied, not sounding as confident as he wanted to. Behind them, Queen Liora stood with Orlow and a small guard. Her silver hair billowed in the ...

  Chapter Six: The Treasure of the Forgotten Flame The next morning came with a hush of starlight and the soft murmur of distant voices. The castle shimmered with a gentle glow, but something in the air had changed. It felt heavier, like the sky itself was holding its breath. After a quick breakfast of starfruit pastries and morning mist tea, Ariel, Boo, Thistle, and Advisor Orlow were led to the Tower of Memory—a tall, round room made of spiraled crystal. The windows stretched high overhead, casting rainbow-colored shadows on the floor. Inside, standing beneath a floating orb of starlight, was a great white owl with gold-flecked feathers and deep, intelligent eyes. "Ah! You must be the Starborn," the owl said in a crisp, warm voice. "Welcome, welcome. I am Professor Quill, royal historian of Starlight." He bowed his feathered head and adjusted a pair of half-moon spectacles perched precariously on his beak. "We’ve waited a long time for you." Ariel smiled...

  Chapter Five: Shells, Stars, and Royal Decrees The city sparkled all around them, but Ariel barely had time to take it all in before a new voice called out from the city gate. "Ah, there you are," came a deep, deliberate voice that rumbled like distant thunder. A large turtle—walking upright and dressed in long, flowing robes that shimmered with the colors of dawn—approached them. His shell was patterned with star-like swirls, glowing faintly with blues and golds, and he walked with a staff that clicked against the glowing cobblestone road. "Advisor Orlow, at your service," he said with a small bow. "Queen Liora has been expecting you." Ariel blinked. "You're a turtle." "Indeed," Orlow said with a slow smile. "And you're the Starborn. We all surprise someone eventually. Come, let me show you our city." As they walked behind Orlow, the city of Liora bloomed around them like a dream. Buildings of crystal and carved moo...

  Chapter Four: The Outpost an the Eyes of the City Ariel didn’t speak for a long time after the rhinoceros-beasts had passed. Her heart still pounded from their sudden appearance, and she stayed low in the sparkling bush, watching until the last rumble of their heavy steps faded into silence. Thistle remained crouched beside her, ears twitching. Boo sat on high alert, her tail curled tightly around her paws. Only when the trail was quiet again did they begin to move. "Well," Boo muttered, hopping out of the bush with a shake, "I vote we avoid those things from now on." Ariel nodded, brushing glittery leaves from her pajamas. "What were they?" "Trouble," Thistle replied. "Big, stomping, horned trouble. And they’ve been showing up more and more often lately. Not good—not good at all." They followed the trail again, winding through glimmering meadows and hills covered in star-shaped flowers that glowed softly beneath their feet. The sun...