Rishi
Chapter 1: The Father Who Vanished
My father disappeared from our lives when I was very young. One day he was there, and the next day he was gone. No one spoke about him, and whenever I asked questions I was either brushed aside or given an excuse that he is on a trip and will return soon. I was not allowed to ask any further questions and with time I stopped, deep down I always felt that I would come face to face with the truth.
My grandfather raised me after that. He was loving but very strict, especially about one place—the old library. He would often catch me sneaking around and grew very tired of the games I played. He knew I wanted answers to questions he had answers to.
“Never go there, Mathew,” he warned me.
“ You are not ready yet.”
The way he said it made the library feel more like a secret than a danger. Deep inside, I felt that the answers about my father were hidden there. I just had to find the right opportune time and it will be any day now.
Chapter 2: The Forbidden Library
One rainy afternoon, I was in my room still figuring out a way to enter the library, my grandfather was asleep, I decided to find the truth. I quietly walked through the long stone corridors, my heart beating faster with every step. I knew that if I was caught I would be sent to a boarding school. The library doors creaked as I pushed them open.
Inside, thousands of books filled tall shelves that reached the ceiling. Thick dust covered almost every book. It was like entering a room that has been abandoned and left to rot. I noticed something stranger, one particular book seemed clean compared to the ones that were covered in thick dust.
The clean book looked as if it had been waiting just for me. Slowly, I pulled it from the shelf. The ground shook. With a deep rumbling sound, the bookshelf slid aside, revealing a hidden door. Before I could move away, the door opened and pulled me inside. Light spun around me, and I felt myself falling through a swirling tunnel.
Chapter 4: The Magical Garden
I landed softly on glowing grass. When I stood up, I realised I was no longer in the library. I was in a magical garden. Flowers shimmered like jewels. Crystal fountains flowed gently, and strange creatures moved freely– some with wings, some with horns, and some glowing like fireflies.
A fox-like creature with many tails stepped forward and said, “My name is Kitsune,”. We have been waiting for you Mathew. The Portal Library has chosen you. He told me that the library was a gateway between worlds—and that my father had once entered this same portal. I became more curious, I can finally meet him or is he even real I asked myself. Questions filled my heart but I decided to calm myself and plan on how to survive in the other world. I was in another dimension and didn’t know what lies ahead of me. Before I had the time to collect my thoughts Kitsune said, “let us begin”.
Chapter 5: The Path of Legends
Kitsune led me onto a glowing path called the Path of Legends. The path changed as we walked, twisting and stretching like it was alive. Our first stop was the Forest of Whispers.
The trees leaned close and whispered scary words into my ears, trying to fill me with fear. I was scared it spoke to me of the deepest darkest fears that lay hidden inside me. I wanted to run, all the excitement I had to see my father left me, it all seemed like a big mistake but Kitsune told me to walk forward without listening. When I did, the whispers faded instantly. He said, “Only the brave can face their own fears and overcome them, you have passed the first task.”
I learned my first lesson: fear only has power when we listen to it.
Chapter 6: Mirror Lake
Next, we reached Mirror Lake, a wide silver lake as smooth as glass. It spread so far and wide that I couldn’t see the end of it. It seemed like the mirror was alive and living.
When I looked into the water, I didn’t see my reflection. Instead, I saw my fears—being alone, losing my grandfather, never finding my father. It was like I was looking at myself because it was not me, it was filled with all the negative emotions I kept hidden inside me.
My legs felt weak, but Kitsune reminded me that I had already faced worse.
I stepped onto the stones across the lake. With every step, the images faded, until the water became clear again. I was determined to get to the end of it and with each step it seemed like I got closer to the end of it.
Chapter 7: The Sky Bridge
Beyond the lake was the Sky Bridge, hanging high above the clouds. I had to step on the first wooden stairs. Kitsune said, “the first step is always the hardest.” I was always scared of heights, it seemed like the portal knew all my fears. It felt like a test that I had to but this time it was real life. I told myself, “I am braver than I know.”The bridge seemed as endless as the lake.
Strong winds tried to push me off balance. The bridge shook with every step. I focused on my breathing, moved slowly, and trusted myself. When I reached the other side, I realised I was no longer afraid of falling. It felt like I was a new person and the nightmares that I kept haunting me at night seemed to have lost their effects. Kitsune said, “Congratulations Mathew you have passed the test. We will proceed to the next task. This is called the Shadow Mountains.
Chapter 8: The Werewolf’s Trial
At the foot of the Shadow Mountain, a massive werewolf blocked our path. His shadow stretched across the rocky ground, and his eyes glowed in the dim light. He laughed loudly and said, “You are too weak to pass.”
I had only imagined creatures like this in stories, never in real life. My heart raced, and my hands trembled, but I refused to step back. Instead of arguing, I stood my ground. I took a deep breath and remembered my years of martial arts training. I stayed calm and focused. The werewolf charged forward, trying to block my way into the mountain. Dust rose as we moved, and the ground shook beneath his heavy steps.
The fight was difficult, and for a moment, I doubted myself. But instead of using anger, I used patience. I watched his movements carefully, dodged at the right time, and waited for the right moment. I realised mid battle that my abilities have been enhanced. It was like with every test and trial my abilities grew better and better. Finally, the werewolf stopped. He stepped aside and lowered his head.
“You have passed the final trial,” he said. We entered the shadow mountain not knowing what lies ahead of us.
Chapter 9: The Tower Beyond Time
Beyond the mountains stood an ancient tower wrapped in glowing chains. The air around it felt heavy and still, as if time itself had stopped. As I stepped inside, my heart skipped a beat. Behind a shimmering magical barrier stood a man.
It was my father. He looked exactly like the picture I kept in my room. His face had not changed at all—not a wrinkle, not a sign of age. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. I ran toward him and tried to pull at the glowing chains, but they did not move.
Confused, he looked at me closely and asked softly,
“Mathew… is that you?” Before I could answer, Kitsune stepped forward and spoke gently.
“The chains can only be removed by human hands,” he explained. “This is the land of magic, and magical beings are not allowed to interfere in human affairs. Someone was meant to come for him.”
Realising what I had to do, I reached out again. I had only one thing in mind, to free my father, I had to bring him back home. This time, the chains responded to my touch. One by one, they loosened and fell away, fading into thin air.
When the barrier disappeared, my father stared at me in shock. It feels like just yesterday that I entered the portal,” he said quietly. “But you’ve grown up…” He pulled me into a tight hug, holding me as if he would never let go. I could feel his hands shaking as he whispered how happy he was to see me. Then he told me the truth. The one I felt only he could answer, I was ready to face the truth.
My mother passed away during childbirth. Heartbroken, he had entered the portal to protect the magical library from falling into the wrong hands. In this world, time had stopped for him—but in the real world, many years had passed. My mind went blank. It was too much to understand all at once. I didn’t ask why the library needed protection. Suddenly, the ground beneath us trembled.
Chapter 10: The Way Back Home
Kitsune opened the portal one final time. Light swirled around us as the tower began to crumble behind. My father and I stepped through the portal and landed back inside the old city library. The shelves stood quietly in their places, as if nothing had ever happened.
My grandfather was standing there. For a moment, no one spoke. Then my grandfather’s eyes filled with tears as he rushed forward and hugged his son tightly. Years of silence, pain, and waiting disappeared in that single moment. Slowly, the secret door slid shut. The library returned to silence once more. The book has disappeared.
Life slowly returned to normal, but I was no longer the same. I finally understood why the library had been forbidden for so long. It was not just a place of books. It was a place of courage, sacrifice, and hidden truths. Though the portal was closed, its story lived on. And now, it lived on through me in my memories. I learned to overcome my fears in the other world and now my life seems different and changed.
