Enchanted Forest Stories

It a was a bright and sunny day in the enchanted forest. Princess Xenia, daughter of the King and Queen of the realm is headed back to join her parents in the celebration of her 18th birthday. The closer Xenia got to her castle the more she noticed that something was off. The guards that stood outside of the castle were missing. Xenia and her faithful horse Bella slowed down to evaluate the scene. Xenia still couldn't figure out what was going on. <img src="Assets/castle.jpg"> "Bella my dear, something is not right" Xenia said to her horse. [Dismounts the horse] [Draws sword enters castle slowly] Princess Xenia walks in the castle's banquet hall and sees that all the inhabitants of kingdom are missing. A letter appears on the banquet table giving her instructions on what she must do to save her parents and all the townspeople. [[Amory]]

In a hurry the princess gathers supplies, bow and arrow, axes, daggers, and a shield. [[Outside of the Castle]]

Xenia loads her horse up with all the equipment she needs on her journey to find her parents and the townspeople. She straps her bows and arow to her back and climbs back on Bella. Let's go Bella [[Deep into the Forest]]

Xenia comes to a fork in the road. There are two signs pointing in two opposite directions. The Sign pointing east says "The way to the Gingerbread House". The sign pointing west says "Beware All Who Enter" Not sure which way to go Xenia takes a beat and contempplates her next move. [[Gingerbread Way]] [[The Forbidden Path]]

The Gingerbread House Path Xenia heads off down the gingerbread path deep into the forest. Along the way Xenia finds drops of breadcrumbs along the path. Xenia rides deeper and deeper into the woods. A wolf howls in the distance. The sun starts to set. Xenia, now lost and a little hungry. With each minute that passes by it gets darker and darker. Again, a wolf howls in the distance. All of a sudden, Xenia sees a small light shining far away. "Could it be someone's hut this deep in the woods? " she tought to herself Xenia says to Bella "We must find out what that light is! Maybe whoever lives there is kind and will take me in for the night.” The Xenia and Bella sped as fast as they could to the light. When they got closer, they could not believe their eyes! If you can imagine – from top to bottom the hut was made all of candy! From its gingerbread roof, with frosting all over the walls, and with candies tucked into the frosting, what a sight to see! “I bet it will be okay if I have just a little taste,” Xenia said. [Dismount the horse] Xenia bites off small chunks and licking the sweet candy. A sharp voice!– “WHO is nibbling on my house?” Xenia spins around. [[The Old Witch]]

Then the witch howl quite horribly, but Xenia ran away, and the godless witch was miserably burnt to death. Xenia, however, ran like lightning to Henry and Greta. "Henry and Greta, we are saved. The old witch is dead." Xenia said as she untied their hands and removed their gags. Then Henry and Greta rejoice and embrace each other, and dance about and kiss each other. And as they had no longer any need to fear her, they went into the witch's house, and in every corner there stood chests full of pearls and jewels. "These are far better than pebbles." Said Henry, and thrust into his pockets whatever could be got in. And Greta said, "I, too, will take something home with me," and filled her pinafore full. "But now we must be off," said Henry, "that we may get out of the witch's forest." "Me too, you guys take care of yourselves" Xenia said. The three parted ways. Xenia mounts her horse with map in hand and rides back into the forest. [[Play again?->Once Upon A Time]]

Xenia jumps off Bella. "Who are you?" she asked I am Merlin and I already know who you are Princess Xenia. I am here to warn you. Xenia pulls her sword out and points it at sorcerer. "How do you know my name?" she asked "I knew you before you were born, and I know that you have bright future ahead of you." Merlin responded "What do you know about my future?" Xenia demanded. "I know that you are on your way to the wizard's mansion. He is a trickster my dear. Don't drink anything he offers you, stay alert and brave, if you don't you will surlily die." [[Into the Woods]]

"Crazy old man." Xenia says as she waves off the old man and mounts Bella again. Xenia pulls out her map follows the instructions on it to the manison. [reads map] Xenia rides off into the woods. As Xenia rides through the forest night falls, the sky turned pitch black and the rain began to fall up her. Xenia had didn't care because she was on a mission and nothing was going to get in her way. Thunder and lighting pierce the sky and a thick cloud of fog covers the ground the closers she gets to the mansion. <audio autoplay> <source src="Assets/rainandthunder.wav"></audio> Xenia arrives at the old creepy mansion. [[The Wizard's Mansion]]

Xenia knocks hard on the door. An old creepy butler answers the door. "Welcome to the Baltimore Manor. What can I do for you?" the butler asks. <img src="Assets/wizardmansion.jpg"> Xenia pulls out her sword and points it at the butler. I am here to see the master of this manor. [[This way to the Master]] Show me where the people of the enchanted forest are, and I will spare you, your life. [[Spare your life.]]

"Right this way" The Butler says. The old creepy butler steps back and opens the door allowing Princess Xenia to enter the manor. Once in the door slams shuts behind her. She follows the butler through the strange manor into a waiting room. "Master Baltimore will be in shortly please have a seat." the Butler tells her. Xenia looks around the waiting room and finds a glass of wine sitting on the long banquet table. "It has been a long ride and that glass of wine looks inviting" Xenia said to herself. Then in a flashback moment Xenia remembers what the old sorcerer told her..... The sorcerer's voice echoing in a distance. "He is a trickster my dear. Don't drink anything he offers you or you will surlily die." "Well, I'm thirsty from that long ride through the forest, what's the harm?" Xenia says to herself. <img src="Assets/wine.jpg"> [[The Drink]]

Xenia grabs her sword, yanks the Butler to her side and points sword at his neck. "Show me where he is" Xenia demanded The butler trembling in fear points to door off foyer of the manor. Xenia pushes the butler out of her way and break down the door that the butler pointed to. When Xenia steps into the room, the room turns into a cave where there is burning pits of fire. A dragon appears and roars as fire comes out of its mouth. Xenia turns to run back to the foyer, but the door has disappeared. <img src="Assets/dragon.jpg"> <audio autoplay> <source src="Assets/sfx-magic.wav"></audio> "Well, Well, is it dinner time already?" the dragon says. "Who are you?" Xenia demanded "I am master of the mansion the Wizard Baltimore. The only way to save your parents is through me." "Why are you doing this?" Xenia asked as the dragon paced in a circle around her. "Long ago, it was prophesied that a protector would defeat me. I will not be defeated so I need to kill you" Baltimore said. "Not tonight" Xenia says as she points her sword at the dragon. [[The Cave]]

Xenia hears a wicked laugh in the distance. <audio autoplay> <source src="Assets/evil-laugh.wav"></audio> "Hello my dear, I'm and Baltimore master of the manor and the only one who can help you find your parents and all the townspeople." "What did you do with our parents?" Xenia screamed. "All will be relieved in due time." Baltimore replied. "How about I just kill you and then search for my parents myself?" Xenia said. "And killing won't solve your pending problem, my dear". Baltimore added. "What is that?" Xenia asked "That your dying, that glass of wine you drunk is poising you body as we speak." Baltimore said. Out of fears Xenia, grabs her throat and swiftly swings the sword at Baltimore. [[The Result]]

Baltimore grabs his neck with blood gushing everywhere and falls to the ground dead. Princess Xenia drops to the ground and dies from alcohol poison. All is lost. [[Play again?->Once Upon A Time]]

"There is only one way out and that's through me" the Dragon replies. Baltimore quickly repels her away and magically extinguishes all the candles in the cave, leaving Xenia swinging her sword wildly in the dark and the two fight. Xenia looks for a way to get pass the dragon. Princess Xenia, who is quick and swift on her feet entices Baltimore to chase after her while. Xenia's father the King is best swordsman in the forest and taught her everything she needed to know about sword fighting. Baltimore suddenly disappears in a cloud of smoke and now Xenia is confused on how to proceed. Slowly moves through the dungeon with her sword drawn. Xenia stumbles upon an opening and enters the room. In the middle of the room Baltimore sits on his throne in his human form. He tells Xenia that he is can give her another kingdom to rule and offers her a heaping pile of gold coins in exchange for her leaving and never returning. Xenia rejects the deal and Baltimore disappears in anger. [[Poof A of Smoke]]

Balitmore transforms back into the his dragon form and all his evil friends run away in fear. Xenia see that Balitmore has taken flight flying over the manison and she knows that this is her only chance to kill him. Xenia lines up her shot with her bow and arrow aiming at his heart. She finds her sweet spot and releases the arrow from the bow. The arrow take flight and flies stright towards the dragon's heart. Baltimore's dragon form is struck down by the arrow and falls to the ground. A large cloud of dark magic surrounds Balitmore. Xenia runs over to the smoke's clearing and finds nothing there but pair a dungeon keys. [picks up the keys] Exhausted, tears fall from Xenia's eyes as she drops to her knees. A wave of magical light radiates out and a purple cloud of smoke fills the air. Light illuminates the darkness. Out of the smoke a purple fairy appears to Princess Xenia. <audio autoplay> <source src="Assets/sfx-magic.wav"></audio> [[The Purple Fairy]]

Up in a far window in the tower of the mansion Baltimore in his human form looks out at the villiagers, the King and Queen and the newly crowned Protector Xenia. He smiles wickedly as he sees a black mist slowly approaching and spreading over the Enchanted Forest. The words'' LEVEL 2'' appears before it is engulfed by the purple mist. <audio autoplay> <source src="Assets/sfx-magic.wav"></audio> [[Play again?->Once Upon A Time]]

//Enchanted Forest Stories// by: Candace J. Miles [[References]] [[Once Upon A Time]]

Images: Brenot, T. (Photographer). (2017, August 16) Castle [photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/152474924@N02/35979512283/in/photolist-WPopuF-oZt8zz-XMEvpY-XYFHVA-WPnAsV-oHEDuS-Xt18rx-WPnBup-Y3RGYa-XMPzbC-Fg7jfo-XQzXqg-WM7UTq-GDTziE-WM79jq-pMCyBK-w43UCZ-XrMtTL-Y3QRnr-XLFPYq-K1truf-XXxiLq-XrNPj7-H2pznN-fXpEQx-XQz1eV-UgKYKe-Y2H1ra-WPpcwk-Y3RKWe-Y2H14M-XQyU2p-XYFJRo-XPpq2a-XrMr4Y-XQzJcT-XQzQR4-XQyx1X-XMPwUo-226fra3-YQTmzz-JXtZnZ-FFdFNc-WKY8bq-8mMN7T-XrMtyh-XrMycA-WPdPNF-XYFdmf-Y2H2Da Rdguez, A. (Photographer). (2013, November 30) Enchanted Forest[photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/90642235@N04/14080473783 Lund, K. (Photographer). (2015, April 4) The Haunted Mansion, [photograph]. Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kenlund/16757999244 M, Sadat. (Photographer). (2010, June 22) Poison [photograph]. Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pojke/4724091319/in/photolist-8cscLk-2nZwLX2-2hURiQj-2nenckg-2nuka7F-2ohKFaH-edL1km-2nSJuBE-2nRwp96-2i6LC3Q-2o8Po9f-2m4WTXT-RqEBKQ-2gFURQk-C5kuyr-2mFpinz-2iHrW1H-2krC3s8-2nbz95X-2oaV7J4-2nG3fis-2o9dPdF-2ndAimb-2nxmSNQ-2nWsaoq-2iXjY4J-2b9pUW7-2o7cyt9-2m85oeH-2o1YNNW-2m8d4K5-2kDYVB7-PkQm4U-2khWk8H-2nuMS79-2nT62zs-2mJzcPp-2hBw1Kt-2nS7puT-2kQxDFZ-vMJywR-2iy4bcY-2kDUY82-2k4cafu-2jpSRmc-2hrsoyK-2jGU5GK-L2UA23-2nQGzb6-2mEcEyM Gangrel, R. (Photographer). (2013, April 28) Dragon [photograph]. Retrieved from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/robigangrel/8688242949/in/photolist-eeKvWe-bxCner-pVqZ6r-4BvMmp-6c4Uyf-hp2CL2-v99yj-G9ACUG-aEfKaq-nMWyZK-5JbD1r-ubGeSW-6eQ4Yb-FimUu-6SDRJ9-vkAVX5-cLVTZq-pitavb-2nd4JKv-fJ33sr-q5pPi3-uTkZ7o-uWuZF7-ccDv59-HPXeGd-Yfpont-bVjkjP-A7Absn-dQA5Ae-2jxT63H-nBk1Fy-sud4Ac-2n1uyro-6KgDJ9-JV3Z6Z-sQHrep-nj6B2B-G3HYBB-2n1xvo5-HXbnz-4BA4VL-6R6EbZ-4ehuNh-96Ky1s-NfWKRx-wz8R3E-enEDWe-74mFP5-9ADrTu-cLVSu3 Sound: Renatalmar. (Sound). (2015, February 24) SFX Magic [sound effect]. Retrieved from: https://freesound.org/people/renatalmar/sounds/264981/ FlatHill. (Sound). (2014, May 13) Rain and Thunder 4 [sound effect]. Retrieved from: https://freesound.org/people/FlatHill/sounds/237729/ CosmicEmbers. (Sound). (2017, April 9) evil-laugh [sound effect]. Retrieved from: https://freesound.org/people/CosmicEmbers/sounds/387485/ julianateo. (Sound). (2020, June 17) Fireball, Woosh, Pass, fast. [sound effect]. Retrieved from: https://freesound.org/people/julianmateo_/sounds/522705/ [[Once Upon A Time]]

Suddenly the door opened, and a woman as old as the hills, who supported herself on crutches, came creeping out. Xenia so terribly frightened, drops what was in her hands. The old woman, however, nodded her head, and said, "Oh, you poor dear, who has brought you here? Do come in, and stay with me. No harm shall happen to you." She took Xenia by the hand, and led her into her little house. Good food was set before her, milk and pancakes, with sugar, apples, and nuts. Xenia needed this good meal and a place to rest for the night. The old woman made her feel comfortable. Where are you off too my dear? Said the old lady I'm trying to get to Baltimore's manasion to rescue my parents but I seem to be lost. Oh, well I can help you get there I have a map of the forest. The old lady gives her a map of the area and some tea. [Reviews the map] [[Sips the tea]]

The tea is drugged, and Xenia is dizzy. The old lady catches her and put her on the bed. Before she blacks out, she notices that old lady is not using the cruches anymore. The old woman had only pretended to be so kind. She was in reality a wicked witch, who lay in wait for people and had only built the little house of bread in order to entice them there. When a person fell into her power, she kills them, cooked and ate them, and that was a feast day with her. Witches have red eyes, and cannot see far, but they have a keen scent like the beasts, and are aware when human beings draw near. When Xenia came into her neighborhood, she laughed with malice, and said mockingly, "I have her, she shall not escape." Xenia wakes up bound and gagged, but manages to cut herself free by breaking her teacup and using the shards. She searches for an escape in the cabin and stumbles on a hallway full of closed doors. [[Enters the hallway]]

Xenia finds that the old lady who had turn into a witch in a room sharpening her knives. She sneaks pass the door to hide in the nearest room that isn't locked. [Opens room door] Xenia is shocked to find a little boy and girl who have also been bound and gagged. Xenia frees the kids who explains why they were there. "Are you guys ok?" Xenia asked. The boy said "Yes, how did you find us? We have been here for weeks." "I wasn't looking for you guys, I was lost and hungry and started eatting off the house when the old lady appeared and offered me food and shelter. She even gave me a map to aid me in my journey. After I drank the tea she gave me I passed out." Xenia explained. "The same for us, We got sepearted from our father in the wood and stumbled upon this house made of gingerbread, the old woman offer to help. Instead she has been trying to kill us" said the little girl. "What's your name?" Xenia asked "I'm Henry and this is my sister Greta" said the boy. "My name is Princess Xenia, I am going get us outta here" [[The door swings open]]

The Witch finds them and holds them at knifepoint. She makes Xenia tie Henry and Greta back up and gag them, and says that she needs her to do something. "Now, then, girl," she cried to the Xenia, "gather yourself, and bring some water. Let Henry and Greta be fat or lean, to-morrow I will kill them, and cook them." Xenia had to go out and hang up the cauldron with the water, and light the fire. "We will bake first," said the witch, "I have already heated the oven, and kneaded the dough." She pushed Xenia out to the oven, from which flames of fire were already darting. "Creep in," said the witch, "and see if it properly heated, so that we can put the bread in." The plan was once Xenia was inside, she intended to shut the oven and let her bake in it, and then she would eat her, too. But Xenia saw what she had in mind, and said, "I do not know how I am to do it. How do I get in?" "Silly little girl" said the old woman, "the door is big enough. Just look, I can get in myself." And she crept up and thrust her head into the oven. Then Xenia gave her a push that drove her far into it, and shut the iron door, and fastened the bolt. [[The Witch]]

In the Enchanted Cave, Xenia stays alert as she looks for Balitmore. She wonders how she will find him but is interrupted by a sudden beast-like screech. She hide behind a stone pillar where she see a snake-like tail slithering away from her. Xenia makes a plan that will draw creature out so that she can kill it. Xenia calls for the creature, and as it passes the pillar, Xenia swings her sword hitting creature's neck. However, the sword disintegrates. Xenia is upset that her plan did not work and wonders if she should have took Baltimore up on his offer. Xenia calms down and focuses on finding a way out. Surrounded by the skeletons of fallen warriors, Xenia finds a helmet throws it to distract creature. Xenia runs in the opposite direction toward the exit. Creature reveals it's face and it was Medusa. She was sent to destroy Xenia by Balitmore. Medusa did not fall for the distraction and grabs Xenia ankle with one of her tentacles and pulls Xenia toward her. Xenia remebers the tale about Medusa and that she should not look back. Grabbing pillars to stop from being dragged, Xenia sees a shield on the ground. [[Throws shield]]

Medusa lets go of Xenia allowing her to escape. Xenia then hears Baltimore's voice. Baltimore speaks to Xenia from the shield, "Are you ready to surrender?" "Never, I will find my parents!" Xenia blames Baltimore for what happened. Baltimore rejects this and laughs that he didn't realize he could ruin Xenia's life by just sitting back and letting Xenia sabotage herself before disappearing. Xenia realizes what Balitmore said was true and looks defeated, but then realizes that the shield is a mirror. She tears off the cover and holds it up in front of Medusa, who turns herself into stone. [[Finding Baltimore]]

In front of the mansion, Balitmore opens the door for his retinue of black knights to find and kill Xenia. The Princess realizes that her plan is failing and hears the invading force attacking the mansion. Runs to find cover , Xenia fights her way past two of the black knights shooting them with arrows from her bow but is wounded in the process. [[On the Run]]

Xenia finds a group of rocks and climbs on them to gain high ground. Baltimore back in his dragon form along the black knights chase after Xenia. The dragon flies around spiting fire on anything that moves, desperately searching for Xenia. Xenia briefly becomes overwhelmed and frightened. She hosters the sword and pulls out her bow and arrow, shooting arrows at the dragon with no affect. The dragon slips down into a chasm and Xenia thinks that he is gone but he reappears. The dragon sees the fear in Xenia's eyes and licks his lips towards Xenia. <audio autoplay> <source src="Assets/fireball-woosh.wav"></audio> "End of the road for you my pretty, once I eat you." the Dragon says. [[The Battle]]

Balitmore laughs as he cast a spell, the cave starts to shatters and a vast vortex starts sucks everything up. Balitmore says "I'm going to send you somewhere absolutely horrible, where you are no longer a threat to me." "Bring it on!" Xenia screams back at him. Xenia loads her bow with another arrow and aims it at the dragon. Balitmore see the arrow coming towards him and telports to another part of the manison. A Magic Mirror appears in the hall. "What have you done?" the man in mirror ask. "You were suppose to help me defeat this princess" Baltimore screamed. "You ask me to find out who it was and what their weakness was, which I have done" the mirror replied. Xenia finds Balitmore at the top of the stairs and she demands that he fight her in his human form. Balitmore summons one of his magical forces, a fireball from the fireplace. Xenia fights back, as Baltimore animates all of the weapons in the room, thrust his hand towards Xenia and all the weapons launch at her. [[The battle continues ]]

The princess ducks for cover but Balitmore binds her to the wall, with the metal from the chandelier, and then he slowly approaches her. Xenia screams "Do your worse!, I rather die and than spend one more day without my parents." Balitmore refuses, saying "I think I will keep you and make you my pet." He disappears in a cloud of smoke. Xenia struggles to get out of the trap, and after a beat manages to get free and sets out and find Balitmore. [[The Meeting]]

Balitmore meets with the other dark forces of the land and tells them that today is the day that they will finally emerge triumphant. The protector of the Enchanted Forest has been captured and they are free to do evil. "Will be happy?" a witch asks him. "Yes we will finally get what we want." Balitmore said. At his gesture, the trees around them animate, surrounding them in a threating manner to force them to do what he said. They each gather in a circle surrounding Balitmore, and he causes the limbs to withdraw. Balitmore unleashes a chant of evil, and a column of magical smoke swirls up into the air, as the others look on, but then the smoke disappears. A troll laughs at him for his failure, and in a rage Baltimore transforms the troll into a stone statue. [[The Dragon is Dead]]

"How brave you are my dear. I am so proud of you." said the Fairy. "Who are you?" Princess Xenia asked. "I am Angel the most powerful fairy in the land, and I am here to bestow upon you the title of The Protector of the Enchanted Forest." the Fairy answered. "Wow! I just wanted to get everyone back home safe and sound." Xenia answered. "And, by doing so you have proven to be brave and true." said the Fairy. The Fairy pulls out her magic wand and waves it in the air. Suddenly everyone is back in the Enchanted Forest happy and free. "Angel, what do I do with these keys?" Xenia asked. "Hold on to them, they will come in handy soon." Angel said as she vanished. All the towns' people rejoiced in their freedom and the King and Queen hugged and kiss their daughter Xenia, grateful for the rescue. [[Level 2]]

Beware All Who Enter Path Xenia head off down the beware path deep into the forest. Xenia spots a flashing light moving in the forest, it moved at warped speed through the forest. Bella takes off after the light. <img src="Assets/enchantedforest.jpg"> A heavy stern voice - "STOP! don't go any further." the voice warns. [[The Sorcerer]]