Adrian and The Eternal Flame🔊

Once upon a time, in a city lived a young man named Adrian. He was a modest librarian who led a simple yet contented life. Every day, he walked to the library, where he spent hours aligning and realigning the books and imparting knowledge to those who sought it.

One day, a regal-looking old man, whom he recognized as Mr. Morrison, from the mansion on the hill, entered the library. Adrian had always been intrigued by him and his ostentatious mansion that stood aloof, of which stories of mystical charms had been passed from generation to generation. Adrian respectfully greeted Mr. Morrison and asked how he could assist him.

Mr. Morrison handed him a weathered piece of parchment with the title 'The Secrets of the Eternal Flame.' It was a book long lost and even regarded as myth by many, which held secrets to immense power. The old man had a task for Adrian. He was to find the missing book and deliver it to him. In return, Mr. Morrison promised to reward him grandly.

Although surprised, Adrian accepted the task out of sheer curiosity and the desire to bring something exciting into his ordinary life. For the next few days, he scoured the entire library, digging every nook. Yet, he found no trace of the book. Determined, he embarked on a journey across the city, searching old bookshops, museums, and the houses of renowned antique collectors. His relentless search caught everyone's eye, and soon, the tale of the young librarian in quest of the mystic book spread across the city.

One chilly evening after a laborious day of scouring, Adrian found himself in an old bookstore nearly hidden in a corner of the city. A nearly invisible sign that read 'The Wizened Scribe' hung above the door. Hesitant, he stepped inside. The bookstore was a liliputian world in itself, with dusty, yet intricate books of every possible size and color. An elderly woman with a warm smile greeted him. Adrian asked about 'The Secrets of the Eternal Flame,' hoping for a positive response. To his surprise, the woman brought out the very book he had been tirelessly searching.

The book was in poor condition, damaged by time and neglect. Gentle as always, Adrian cradled the ancient book in his hands and opened the first page. He temporarily lost himself in the beautifully cursive text swirling through the pages. After paying a moderate sum to the woman, he embarked back to his city with the prized treasure.

Returning to Mr. Morrison, Adrian handed over the book. The old man, overjoyed with his success, rewarded Adrian beyond his wildest dreams. But as Adrian looked at the book one last time before parting, deep within him, he felt an odd sensation of loss, as if he was parting with a part of himself.

Few days passed, and the city was engulfed in chaos. Uncontrolled fires perpetually burned properties, erupting without any discernible source. An unbearable heat wave began to radiate from the hill, where Mr. Morrison’s mansion stood. Panic ensued as people tried to combat the destructive flames; nonetheless, they continued to burn impervious.

Struck by a sudden realization, Adrian linked the change to the 'Secrets of the Eternal Flame' and rushed to confront Mr. Morrison. Upon reaching the mansion, he found Mr. Morrison trying to control the flame which he had summoned but failed to control. The scene confirmed Adrian's suspicion that Mr. Morrison had indeed abused the power contained within the book.

Adrian, without a moment of hesitation, ran through the flames towards the engulfed house. The afternoon spent memorizing the initial pages of the book had armed him with a spell to counter the fire. As he uttered the spell, an unexpected calm fell over him, and the aggressive flames began to die down. The temperature dropped down to normal, and the encroaching darkness gave way to light.

Mr. Morrison, overwhelmed with guilt and regret, thanked Adrian for his bravery and selflessness. The news of Adrian's valor spread like wildfire throughout the city, turning him into an unlikely hero overnight. However, Adrian was just content knowing that his city was safe again.

Life in the city returned to normal. Adrian went back to his life as a librarian, the brave savior of the city who still loved nothing more than his quiet days among the columns of books. And, as for 'The Secrets of the Eternal Flame,' it was secured and hidden away in the deepest folds of the library, its secrets safe from misuse. But this time around, the librarian of the city lived not just a simple life but also one of respect and adulation.