The Lost City of Elobeen
Once upon a time, there existed a magical city, hidden among the dense canopies of a sapphire forest, beyond the highest mountains, named Elobeen. This enchanted land was not a secret through its sheer isolation, but because it was enchanted to remain hidden from the eyes of the wicked.
Elobeen was a city of breathtaking beauty. The azure trees bore succulent fruits of numerous colors, aroma, and tastes. Water flowed not only in rivers but also through intricate pipelines built with enchantments in their homes. Most unusual of all, the Elobeens were shapeshifters, able to transform into any creature of the forest they desired.
The ruler of Elobeen was a wise and benevolent queen named Araena. Queen Araena was the mightiest shape-shifter of all, wanting nothing more than to keep the city and its inhabitants safe. She wove a spell of obscurity around the city which rendered it invisible to human eyes.
One day, a struggling artist named Amos ventured into the region. Amos, with his peculiar azure eyes identical to the trees of the forest, managed to penetrate the enchantment, thanks to his kind and humble soul. Struck by the breathtaking beauty of Elobeen, he sought to capture it on canvas. As he started painting, the residents of Elobeen, startled by his presence, gathered around in curiosity.
Over time, Amos grew familiar with the inhabitants of Elobeen, sharing tales of the human world. The Elobeens found themselves adoring this gentle human, and soon, even Queen Araena bestowed him with her friendship.
Word of Amos's incredible paintings spread across the human kingdom, reaching the ears of the wicked King Odell. Driven by greed and curiosity, King Odell summoned Amos and ordered him to reveal the location of Elobeen. Fearing the ruin of the city and its inhabitants, Amos refused to divulge the secret.
In his wrath, King Odell arrested Amos and threatened execution. However, he underestimated the strength of friendship between Amos and Elobeen dwellers. Queen Araena utilized her magical prowess to transform all Elobeens into a magnificent army of forest creatures.
Led by Queen Araena, they descended on King Odell's castle, their strength and sheer determination taking every guard by surprise. They successfully freed Amos and returned to Elobeen, leaving King Odell humbled and defeated.
In honor of his bravery and loyalty, they welcomed Amos as a permanent resident of Elobeen. He lived there for the rest of his days, his paintings adorned the houses of both Elobeen and the human kingdom, immortalizing the magical city's beauty and the friendship he shared with its inhabitants. And so it came to be that Elobeen retained its secrecy, its beauty undisturbed by the outside world, continuing to thrive and grow in harmony with nature.
Those who look carefully, at the crack of dawn, when the world is half-asleep, might catch a glimpse of an illuminating light above the highest mountains, amidst the sapphire forest, the bewitching and enduring city of Elobeen, a reminder of the magic that friendship and unity can wield.